MLB Player News

Kershaw (back) threw off flat ground Tuesday inside Chase Field, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com points out, Kershaw must be feeling well, as he fired long toss the way he does before a start or bullpen session, and then threw from the windup and the stretch while utilizing his full arsenal. It remains to be seen when Kershaw will be able to return to game action, but more information may become available after his throwing session.

Teheran (thigh) will start Tuesday's game against the Phillies.

Teheran exited his previous outing Aug. 2 prematurely after experiencing cramping in his right thigh, but it was never anything that was expected to jeopardize his availability for his subsequent start. The right-hander should face no restrictions Tuesday, though he may not make for an enticing DFS option after he was roughed up in his most recent matchup with the Phillies on July 28. He lasted just 4.2 innings in that start, giving up eight runs on seven hits (three home runs) and two walks.

May is on the disabled list at Low-A Great Lakes with an undisclosed injury.

He allowed one run on six hits and zero walks while striking out four in six innings in his start on Aug. 4, but must have suffered some sort of injury in that outing. May has been a revelation this year, posting a 3.21 FIP, 1.21 WHIP and a 102:24 K:BB in 108 innings as a 19-year-old in the Midwest League.

Eflin was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will start Tuesday's game against the Braves.

Eflin will pitch in the big leagues for the first time since late May after he was ousted from the rotation following three consecutive starts in which he allowed at least seven runs. The right-hander has been better since heading back to Lehigh Valley, but his 4.60 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over nine starts in the International League during that time still isn't anything to write home about. Though he'll enter the rotation in place of Jake Thompson on Tuesday, Eflin will likely need to turn in a solid performance in order to guarantee himself future starts with the Phillies.

Lyles, recently released by the Rockies, signed a minor-league deal with the Padres on Monday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lyles was terrible for the Rockies, as he finished with a 6.94 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. He had no problem finding the zone, but he just couldn't make hitters miss. Expect him to serve as organizational depth for the Padres, though they may give him a chance in the majors to see if his homer-happy ways carry over to Petco Park.

Nicasio recorded his second save Monday, striking out a pair of batters in a scoreless ninth inning against Detroit.

The righthander was only pitching because closer Felipe Rivero was unavailable after throwing a season-high 41 pitches Sunday, but the outing showed what Nicasio can do. He's allowed only two earned runs in his last 20.2 innings, compiling a 21:5 K:BB since June 27.

Martinez (8-9) allowed two runs on six hits while striking out seven batters through eight innings during Monday's win over Kansas City.

After a sterling start to the season, Martinez had posted a disappointing 5.82 ERA through his previous six outings, so Monday's showing was a welcome rebound. One good outing doesn't necessarily mean his slump is over, but with a 3.52 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 for the campaign, Martinez should still be viewed as a go-to fantasy asset in all settings. He projects to start against the Braves at Busch Stadium next.

Williams (5-4) threw seven innings of shutout ball Monday against Detroit. He allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out five.

He totaled a season-high 107 pitches, including 62 for strikes. Williams' velocity was slightly down from his 92.6 mph average -- he hit the upper 80s on occasion -- but manager Clint Hurdle noted post-game how well the rookie mixed his pitches. The rookie has crafted a 3.56 ERA in his last 91 innings, and his .521 opponent OPS the second time through opposing lineups is second-best among National League hurlers with a 100-batter minimum -- only the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (.502) boasts a finer mark.

Strasburg (elbow) was able to play catch on the field prior to the Nationals' game Monday against the Marlins, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

The fact that Strasburg is throwing a day after completing a bullpen session suggests that his elbow isn't providing too many complications. Strasburg will miss his next scheduled turn in the rotation Tuesday, but if he throws off the mound later in the week without any discomfort, he could be activated from the disabled list over the weekend and pick up a start during the Nationals' series with the Giants. A.J. Cole will lose out on a rotation spot once Strasburg is activated.

Ray (concussion) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday, Alex Simon of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks have been pleased with Ray's progress from the concussion he suffered after taking a 108 mph liner to the head July 28 against the Cardinals, but manager Torey Lovullo has been non-committal about a potential return date for the All-Star pitcher. More clarity on that front could come after the bullpen session, but it's already been determined that Ray won't pitch this week when his next turn through the rotation comes up Thursday against the Dodgers. Anthony Banda, who replaced Ray in the rotation Aug. 4 and gave up one run over six innings in a win over the Giants, is the leading candidate to fill in again Thursday, though with an off day Monday, the Diamondbacks could opt to move Taijuan Walker up in the schedule to take the hill instead.