MLB Player News

Kershaw (shoulder) threw live batting practice before Saturday's game against the Rockies, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Saturday marks the first time Kershaw has faced live hitters after spending the past month throwing bullpen sessions, though he was able to pitch only one simulated inning. He will continue to build up his workload over his next several live BP sessions before heading out on a rehab assignment with one of the Dodgers' minor-league affiliates. Assuming the 36-year-old southpaw doesn't run into any setbacks, he appears in line to return to Los Angeles' rotation in approximately 4-to-6 weeks.

Priester will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday to start against the Blue Jays, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Priester was sent to Triple-A on May 15 after posting a 4.33 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through his first five starts of the season. He's managed to bounce back since then, firing seven scoreless innings during his most recent Triple-A start. He's now likely to maintain a spot in the Pirates rotation until Martin Perez (groin) returns from the 15-day injured list.

Matz (back) will throw a full-intensity bullpen Monday and could get sent on a minor-league rehab assignment if the bullpen session goes well, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Monday's bullpen session will be Matz's third since he hit the IL with a back injury. The southpaw has missed a full month of action and would likely need a couple of rehab starts before returning to the Cardinals' active roster. In the meantime, Andre Pallante is set to fill Matz's spot in the rotation.

The Brewers optioned Myers to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Myers was knocked around during his start against the White Sox on Friday, allowing five earned runs in just 4.1 frames, and he will now head back to Nashville in order to right the ship. The 25-year-old owns a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 26.2 innings across seven big-league appearances this season, though he still may be relied upon later in the year if the Brewers run into additional problems with their pitching depth. Janson Junk was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Singer (illness) is feeling better but still needs a few more days to regain strength before potentially slotting back into the rotation Wednesday in Cleveland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Singer was scratched ahead of his most recent scheduled start Thursday versus the Twins due to an illness, but he now appears to be on track to return to the mound relatively soon. The right-hander is in the midst of a career year with Kansas City, producing a 2.63 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 64 strikeouts over 61.2 innings in his first 11 starts of 2024.

Medina (knee) is slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale with Atlanta, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina has missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign to this point while recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered March 4 at spring training. The 25-year-old made three starts during his minor-league rehab assignment, with the last two coming at Triple-A Las Vegas. In his final outing at Triple-A on Tuesday, Medina tossed 3.2 innings (72 pitches) while striking out six and giving up two earned runs on four hits and two walks. While he shouldn't face many limitations from a workload standpoint in his 2024 MLB debut, Medina isn't a recommended streaming option in a road game against one of baseball's top teams.

The Padres placed Darvish on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left groin strain.

Darvish had to make an early exit from his start Wednesday against Miami due to hamstring problems, but the issue appears to instead be groin-related. His move to the IL is backdated to Thursday, allowing him to be eligible to return June 14. He will be joined by fellow starter Joe Musgrove (elbow) on the injured list while Randy Vasquez and Logan Gillaspie come up from Triple-A El Paso to take their places.

The Padres placed Musgrove on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove was originally slated to start Saturday against the Royals, but he will now return to the injured list after experiencing further issues with his right elbow/triceps. The 31-year-old was able to return from the IL after 16 days following his first encounter with elbow problems in May, but the Padres will likely bring him back slower this time around to ensure his elbow is back to 100 percent the next time he takes the mound. Randy Vasquez was recalled from Triple-A to start in Musgrove's place Saturday and will likely remain in the Padres' rotation until Musgrove is able to return.

Poteet (finger) was activated from the minor-league 7-day injured list and called up to start Saturday's contest versus the Giants.

Poteet is officially set to make his second major-league start of the season Saturday, replacing Clarke Schmidt (lat) on the mound for the Yankees. The right-handed Poteet last pitched with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 19, allowing three runs over four innings before missing his last outing with a blister. Poteet drew his first start with New York on April 13, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out four in a win over the Guardians. It's unclear if the Yankees view Poteet as a long-term replacement for Schmidt, who's expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, but a strong outing Saturday would certainly make that a possibility.

Musgrove will not start as scheduled Saturday against the Royals.

The Padres recalled Randy Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso to start Saturday's contest, causing Musgrove's next start to be pushed back. It's unclear whether the 31-year-old is dealing with an injury or the Padres simply want to give him some extra rest, but the team should offer some clarity in the near future.