MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kershaw (back) won't require a minor-league rehab assignment and will instead complete an individualized buildup program through bullpen sessions and a simulated game, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

With Kershaw having shown significant improvement since receiving an epidural injection Aug. 6 to alleviate pain in his back, he took the first major step forward in his recovery program Friday, when he completed a bullpen session. Roberts suggested that Kershaw is expected to throw off a mound again Monday, and if that activity goes well, the veteran southpaw could be cleared for a 3-to-4-inning sim game next weekend. Kershaw may need only one sim game for the Dodgers to sign off on his return from the 15-day injured list, which could happen within two weeks.

Rogers (back) was charged with five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two in two innings Friday in his rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville.

After tossing 76 pitches and 4.2 innings in his prior rehab start Aug. 14 for Double-A Pensacola, Rogers took a step back Friday in terms of both workload and performance. He needed 62 pitches just to record six outs, and the poor showing could prompt the Marlins to keep him in the minors for at least one more tune-up outing. If that's the case, the Marlins may choose to use Thursday's team off day as a means of keeping a four-man rotation intact until Rogers is needed to fill the void when the team requires a fifth starter Aug. 30.

Flaherty (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed an earned run on four hits and one walk over four innings Sunday in his rehab start with Double-A Springfield.

Flaherty tossed 66 pitches (41 strikes) and generally looked good in the third start of his rehab assignment and his second in a row at Double-A. According to John Denton of MLB.com, Flaherty is on track to return to Triple-A Memphis on Friday for what should be his final rehab start, with the right-hander expected to target around 90 pitches in the outing. If he comes out of that start setback-free, Flaherty would likely be on track to come off the 60-day injured list and rejoin the big-league rotation Aug. 31 in Cincinnati or Sept. 2 at home against the Cubs.

Soroka (Achilles) recorded no strikeouts and scattered six hits and one walk over 3.1 inning while allowing two earned runs Sunday in his rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Soroka wasn't nearly as sharp Sunday as he was in his first rehab start Tuesday at High-A Rome, with whom he struck out eight over four scoreless innings. That said, the right-hander escaped the outing at Gwinnett without any setbacks, doing so while building up to 58 pitches (39 strikes). Soroka will likely make at least one or two more rehab starts in the upper levels of the minors before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list in the first week of September and taking back a spot in the Atlanta rotation.

Woodruff did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Woodruff failed to complete six innings for the second time in as many starts, as manager Craig Counsell pulled him at 105 pitches after walking Seiya Suzuki with two outs in the sixth. The two runs allowed came from solo home runs off the bats of Ian Happ and Suzuki. The righty has now allowed two or more earned runs in each of his last four starts, including two home runs allowed in each of the last three. He will take a 3.51 ERA into his next start.

Steele allowed no runs on two hits and one walk over six innings against the Brewers, striking out nine. He did not factor into the decision.

The Cubs' southpaw was sharp all afternoon, as he held the Brewers to three baserunners on the day. Steele lowered his ERA to 3.25 on the season and now has three straight quality starts. Additionally, he has recorded 39 strikeouts in 26.1 innings in his last five starts after recording less than a strikeout per inning up to that point. He tentatively lines up for a rematch against the Brewers next week.

Rodriguez (2-3) earned the victory Sunday over the Angels, striking out five in five shutout innings while allowing four hits and three walks.

Rodriguez (personal) made his first start since May 18 after dealing with a rib injury and a personal issue over the last three months. Three times Sunday the lefty had two runners on and one out; in each case, he worked his way out of trouble. He tossed 78 pitches -- 45 strikes -- and may have a pitch limit as he works his way back to full strength. The 29-year-old has a 3.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 39:20 K:BB in 44 innings across nine starts this year. His next start will likely be at the end of next week in Texas.

Greinke was removed from Sunday's start against the Rays after the fourth inning due to cramping in his right forearm, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Greinke experienced a cramp in his forearm in the fourth inning and was able to finish the frame, but the Royals elected to remove him from the game as a precautionary measure. The team will wait to see how he feels Monday before determining his status going forward. If he's cleared to make his next start, Greinke tentatively lines up to start at home against the Padres on Saturday.

The Mets optioned Peterson to Triple-A Syracuse following Saturday's doubleheader with the Phillies, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Because he was designated as the Mets' 27th man for the twin bill, Peterson will temporarily move off the active roster after he struck out six and allowed three earned runs over 4.2 innings en route to taking the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's twin bill. As Britton notes, Peterson had to be designated as the 27th man in order to rejoin the Mets since he hadn't spent the minimum 15 days in the minors following his Aug. 6 demotion, but he'll still be eligible to be recalled later this week when New York requires a new fifth starter to replace the injured Carlos Carrasco (oblique). Unless the Mets decide to take advantage of Wednesday's off day to get by with a four-man rotation during the upcoming week, Peterson should rejoin the Mets next weekend to make a start against the Rockies at Citi Field.

Manager Alex Cora said Eovaldi (shoulder/neck) won't be available to start Tuesday's home game against the Blue Jays as the Red Sox had hoped, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi was scratched ahead of his most recent scheduled start last Thursday in Pittsburgh after he experienced soreness in his neck and shoulder area. At the time, Eovaldi's scratch was viewed as mostly precautionary, but Cora relayed that the right-hander hasn't responded to treatment as well as the Red Sox had hoped over the past few days. Cora noted that an IL stint could be on the table for Eovaldi, but the team may wait until after Monday's off day before officially deciding on his status.