MLB Player News

Kershaw exited Thursday's game against the Giants due to low-back pain.

Kershaw appeared to indicate that he was dealing with a back injury as he walked off the mound prior to the fifth inning Thursday, and the Dodgers later confirmed the diagnosis. The left-hander will presumably be monitored in the coming days, especially considering his history of back injuries. If he's able to pitch through the issue, he tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Twins on Wednesday.

The Cardinals activated Montgomery on Thursday. He's scheduled to make his St. Louis debut Saturday versus the Yankees at Busch Stadium, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Montgomery will draw a familiar opponent in his first start with St. Louis, taking on the club with whom he spent the first five-plus seasons of his career before the Yankees traded him to the Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Harrison Bader (foot). The southpaw's prior knowledge of some of his former teammates' tendencies at the plate could make a tough matchup on paper a bit more palatable, and the move from the competitive American League East to the comparatively softer National League Central will likely prove more favorable to Montgomery's ratios in the long run.

Manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Soroka (Achilles) is expected to pitch in simulated games soon, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Soroka was facing hitters in early July, but his recovery process slowed when he was hit in the knee by a comebacker while throwing live batting practice. The right-hander isn't expected to return from the injured list until at least September, and a timetable for him to begin a rehab assignment will likely be discussed once he's pitched in simulated games.

Rodriguez (personal) will make a rehab start with Single-A Lakeland on Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old has recently been ramping up his throwing program and reported to the Tigers' extended spring training facility last weekend, and he's now been cleared for game action in the lower minors. Rodriguez has been away from the team since mid-May and will likely require multiple rehab starts before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation later in August. He's expected to throw about three innings and 50 pitches with Lakeland.

Civale (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Civale has been on the injured list since July 14 due to a right wrist sprain, but he'll return to game action in the minors Thursday. The Guardians hope the right-hander will be able to throw approximately four innings during Friday's outing, and he'll presumably be evaluated afterward to determine his next steps.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Garcia will be called up from Triple-A Toledo to start Friday's game against the Rays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Garcia will be joining the Tigers for his second Friday start in a row, as he previously took the hill last weekend in Toronto and took a no-decision while giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings. Since Garcia was added to the roster last week as a COVID-19 replacement for Andrew Chafin, the Tigers will need to formally add the right-hander back to the 40-man roster so he can make his spot start versus Tampa Bay. Garcia could be headed back to the minors immediately following his upcoming start, as the Tigers should get Beau Brieske (forearm) back from the injured list when a fifth member of the rotation is needed next week.

Kershaw was removed from Thursday's game against the Giants ahead of the fifth inning due to a back injury, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw tweaked his back while warming up ahead of the fifth inning Thursday, and he walked off the field before trainers were able to reach the mound. Prior to his departure, the southpaw allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out four in four innings. Kershaw has dealt with back issues throughout his career and missed nearly a month due to right SI joint inflammation earlier in 2022. However, it's not yet clear whether he'll be forced to miss additional time due to his current injury.

The Red Sox placed Bello (groin) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bello suffered the injury during his relief appearance in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Astros, when the Red Sox intended to deploy him as a piggyback pitcher behind starter Rich Hill. He'll now be sidelined for at least the next two and a half weeks, and once he's activated, Bello may not have a spot on the active roster, much less one in the rotation. Hill's return from the IL on Wednesday gave Boston five healthy starting options, and Michael Wacha (shoulder) could be activated by the middle of August and will push Bello another rung down the depth chart.

McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to make the fourth start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Sugar Land.

In his most recent outing for Sugar Land on Tuesday, McCullers struck out five over 3.1 innings while allowing two runs on three hits and three walks. He built up to 76 pitches in that start, so if he's able to land in the 85-to-90 range Sunday, McCullers could be cleared to come off the 60-day injured list and rejoin the Houston rotation by the end of next week. The Astros already tentatively cleared a spot in their six-man rotation for McCullers by trading Jake Odorizzi to Atlanta on Monday.

Toussaint is expected to start Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Toussaint made his debut for the Angels last weekend and allowed two runs across four innings of long relief, and he'll make a spot start in Saturday's twin bill. Another decent showing could keep the 26-year-old in the mix for future starts after the departure of Noah Syndergaard at the trade deadline.