MLB REPORT

NATIONALS-ROYALS TRADE

Righthander Kelvin Herrera was acquired by the Washington Nationals from the Kansas City Royals for three minor leaguers — infielder Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and righthander Yohanse Morel. Herrera has 14 saves and a 1.05 ERA this season. He has allowed three earned runs in 252⁄3 innings while striking out 22 batters and walking two.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Clayton Kershaw has taken another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. Kershaw, 30, threw a three-inning simulated game before Monday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs. The threetime NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers.

TEXAS RANGERS

Shortstop Elvis Andrus, a two-time All-Star for the Rangers, was activated after missing 59 games from being hit by a pitch from Kenyan Middleton that broke his right elbow in an April 11 game against the Los Angeles Angels. He had been inactive for only three of the Rangers' 1,515 games since making his debut on opening day in 2009. He was suspended for a 2016 game and was on the paternity list for two games in 2017.