MLB Player News

Kershaw allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Thursday.

Kershaw made his return from the injured list after missing about six weeks due to left shoulder inflammation. The legendary southpaw looked good in his return, limiting the Rockies to one run on an Elehuris Montero solo shot in the fifth inning. Kershaw tossed 45 of 67 pitches for strikes and lowered his season ERA to 2.51. The Dodgers figure to allow Kershaw to ease back into things with an eye toward the postseason, though the future Hall of Famer has long had a knack for going deep into games without racking up a ton of pitches.

Marsh (0-6) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Marsh worked in a bulk-relief role Thursday, coming in to start the fourth inning and finishing off the contest. The right-hander pitched decently but couldn't escape the loss column, and he's now been charged with the defeat six times through eight major-league outings. Marsh gained some fantasy intrigue after striking out 11 batters over six frames against Tampa Bay on July 15, but since then he's tallied just 14 punchouts across 18 innings and isn't a viable asset in most formats.

Paxton (7-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Paxton gave up three homers and four runs over five innings against Toronto in his previous start, but he rebounded with a strong effort Thursday. Though he needed 98 pitches to get through 5.1 frames, the left-hander kept the Royals off the scoreboard and didn't issue a walk for just the second time in 15 starts this season. Paxton continues to enjoy a career resurgence at age 34 -- through 80.1 innings, he's posted a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 90:22 K:BB.

Liberatore (2-4) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Thursday, pitching eight scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out seven batters.

Liberatore had a 6.93 ERA coming into the contest, but he stifled the Rays' offense in the best start of his big-league career. The southpaw completed eight innings for the first time as a major-leaguer and allowed just two hits, both of which were singles. Liberatore has struggled thus far to get batters out at the highest level, so it remains to be seen if Thursday's gem will be a turning point. He's lined up for a prime matchup at home against Oakland in his next start.

The Dodgers reinstated Kershaw (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kershaw has been on the IL since July 3 due to inflammation in his left shoulder. The 35-year-old lefty put up an incredible 1.09 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 33 innings across his last five starts before getting injured, though it's possible Kershaw shows a little bit of rust after not pitching in over a month. Victor Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Maeda (3-7) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

The veteran righty induced just eight swinging strikes on 89 pitches, but he was able to keep Detroit off the board until Riley Greene obliterated a hanging slider in the sixth inning, sending it 453 feet to right field for a solo home run. That bomb proved to be the difference, as Minnesota's offense was shut out for the second time in three days. After a brutal start to the season, Maeda has been steady in his nine outings since returning from injury June 23, posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.23 K/9 across 49.2 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Tigers again next week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (elbow) is on track to return from the injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock pitched well in his rehab debut Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, striking out three of the nine batters he faced over 2.1 scoreless frames. Out since early July due to a bone bruise in his right elbow, the 27-year-old is expected to operate as a multi-inning reliever down the stretch. He could happen into some wins and a save or two in that role.

Lorenzen's next start is expected to be next Friday in Washington, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After tossing a no-hitter and notching his name into the history books Wednesday against the Nationals, Lorenzen will get some added rest between starts. He racked up 124 pitches to complete the no-hitter, so the 31-year-old will get eight days of rest. The Phillies had been operating with a six-man rotation, but it's unclear if they will stick with that the next time through, as they have two off days next week. Regardless, Lorenzen will stay in the mix next weekend while facing the same team he just tossed a no-hitter against, although this time it will be a road matchup against the Nationals.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (shoulder) will be limited to around four innings in his return to the rotation Friday versus the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale has been out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula and threw only 35 and 54 pitches, respectively, in his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester. He looked sharp during that stint on the farm, though, tallying 10 strikeouts across 6.1 scoreless frames. The 34-year-old southpaw will have to continue building up on the fly, but he can maybe help Boston attempt to stage a late charge in the AL Wild Card standings.

Olson (2-5) earned the win Thursday, allowing two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings against Minnesota. He struck out eight.

The rookie right-hander turned in the best start of his young career, outdueling opposing starter Kenta Maeda to earn the victory. Olson had been mired in mediocrity in his previous four starts since rejoining Detroit's rotation July 16, going 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 21.1 innings during that stretch. The 24-year-old currently lines up for a rematch versus Minnesota next week.