MLB Player News

Kershaw will get an extra day of rest and make his next start Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The lefty was originally expected to start Friday, but the team has opted to start Tony Gonsolin and push him until Saturday versus the Diamondbacks. Kershaw has looked sharp since returning from the 60-day injured list Sept. 13, allowing two runs in 9.1 innings while registering 13 stikeouts.

Keuchel gave up two runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out two across five innings during Tuesday's loss to the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

A lack of efficiency hurt Keuchel this time as he needed 95 pitches to complete five innings. Meanwhile, his 11 hits allowed were a season worst. Akil Baddoo was Keuchel's biggest enemy of the day with two RBI singles, accounting for all the damage. The lefty will bring a 5.18 ERA and 1.50 WHIP into his next projected start Sunday at Cleveland.

Flaherty (shoulder) could be used in an opener role during one half of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Flaherty doesn't have time to build up to a true starter's workload as he recovers from the shoulder strain that has kept him out for nearly a month, but he's nearly ready to return to pitch at least an inning or two. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday, which could wind up being his final session before he returns to game action.

Bieber (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to make a start later this week so long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks following Tuesday's bullpen session, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander built up to 57 pitches in his lates rehab outing with Double-A Akron on Sunday, and so long as he's able to complete Tuesday's bullpen without any issues, his next start is expected to come for the big club. While Cleveland has not speculated on a specific game for Bieber to be activated, either Friday or Saturday against the White Sox would seem to make the most sense from a rest standpoint. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is expected to be capped at around 75 pitches if he's indeed able to return over the weekend.

Arihara cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Arihara was DFA'd on Sunday after posting a 6.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 10 starts with the Rangers. He didn't find any suitors on waivers, so he'll remain with Texas as minor-league depth for the time being. The right-hander signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal in the offseason, so the Rangers will certainly be looking for signs that he can turn things around heading into 2022.

Carrasco's thumb is fine after he jammed it during his start Saturday against the Phillies, and he's expected to be back on the mound for his next turn in the rotation, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Carrasco hurt his thumb when fouling off a pitch at the plate and wound up leaving after 82 pitches. The issue isn't a significant one, however, so he's expected to return to the mound Saturday against the Brewers.

Whitlock (pectoral) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Per Bill Koch of The Providence Journal, manager Alex Cora maintained that the pectoral injury isn't thought to be serious, but that the Red Sox "don't feel he's going to be ready in the upcoming days." The move to the IL can be backdated to Monday, so Whitlock will become eligible to be reinstated Sept. 30 against Baltimore. If he progresses as he hopes, the right-hander stands a strong chance to rejoin the Boston bullpen for the last four games of the regular season. Ryan Brasier was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot on the 28-man roster.

DeGrom (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and still expects to return before the end of the season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

DeGrom only resumed mound work one week ago, and there are less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, but he's still evidently expecting to return in some capacity. He'll throw another bullpen session later this week, which could theoretically give him time to return and make an appearance or two, though he'll likely be on a significantly reduced pitch count if that happens.

Syndergaard (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Syndergaard began a rehab assignment in late August but was shut down after he tested positive for COVID-19. He's resumed facing hitters during the last week and will now resume his rehab assignment in Syracuse. The right-hander is slated to take on a bullpen role once he rejoins the major-league club; he is expected to require at least two rehab appearances before he's reinstated from the injured list, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

The Rangers list Dunning as their starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Dunning will be picking up his first start since Aug. 20, after he spent about two and a half weeks on the COVID-19 injured list before returning in a relief role once he was activated Sept. 10. Because Dunning didn't get fully stretched out for starting duty during the idle period, the Rangers have been having him build up his pitch count over his two appearances out of the bullpen. In his most recent outing Sept. 15, Dunning covered two innings (43 pitches), so he likely won't be asked to work deep into Tuesday's start. Glenn Otto could be an option to piggyback Dunning, if the Rangers elect to go that route.