Kershaw nearing return to Dodgers
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start Saturday as he continues his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award could be back pitching in the majors soon.
Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw will be limited to four innings and 60 pitches when he returns to the mound with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha. If the outing goes well, Roberts hoped the left-hander’s next appearance would be with Los Angeles.
Kershaw threw a threeinning simulated game before the Dodgers’ postponed series opener against the Cubs on Monday night. Afterward, Kershaw said he felt good.
Kershaw, 30, was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. The left-hander pitched five effective innings in a no-decision against the Phillies, and then went back on the disabled list the next day with the back injury.
Orioles cut ties with Alvarez: Pedro Alvarez has been designated for assignment by Baltimore, which made several moves in an attempt to improve a team with the worst record in the big leagues.
Alvarez, 31, had a .181 batting average with eight home runs and 18 RBIs in 45 games.
Used mostly as a designated hitter, he was in a 1-for-18 skid since his last multi-hit game on May 24.
It was not a surprising move, given the Orioles entered play Tuesday with a 20-50 record.
As a corresponding move, the Orioles selected the contract of infielder Steve Wilkerson from Triple-A Norfolk. His first appearance will be his major-league debut. In December, Wilkerson received a 50-game suspension for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Plan.
In addition, Baltimore recalled catcher Caleb Joseph from Norfolk. Joseph began the season as the Orioles’ starting catcher but was optioned to the minors on May 17 after batting .182 in 24 games. Joseph joins his brother, Corban Joseph, on the Baltimore roster.
Milwaukee lets Logan go: The NL Central-leading Brewers designated left-handed reliever Boone Logan for assignment to make room on the roster for rookie starter Freddy Peralta.
Logan, 33, appeared in 16 games for Milwaukee, which signed him as a free agent in January hoping to use him as a left-handed specialist. He went 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA for the Brewers.