MLB Player News

Suzuki went 2-for-3 with two walks, three runs and a stolen base Thursday against the Phillies.

Suzuki entered the game having struck out 12 times against just one walk in 25 plate appearances over his previous six games, but he reached base four times on two hits and a couple of walks Thursday, leading to a season-high three runs scored. It was just the fourth time this season Suzuki drew multiple free passes in a game. He also recorded his eighth stolen base of the season in 10 tries, leaving him just one shy of a career high.

Kershaw (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw was expected to complete the session Wednesday, but he ultimately took the mound one day later. Things apparently went well, as manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw will throw a sim game as early as Sunday and will then complete a two- or three-start rehab assignment before potentially being activated.

Happ went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double and six RBI during Thursday's 10-2 win against the Phillies.

Happ blasted his 12th dinger in the fourth with a three-run shot from the right side of the plate that put the Cubs on the board, then turned around and repeated the feat from the left side of the plate in the fifth. It was the second multi-homer game of the season for Happ, while the six RBI represent a season high. Happ, who entered the day batting 6-for-38 (.158) over the previous 12 games, raised his season average from .227 to .238 with 13 homers, 20 doubles, 50 RBI, 47 runs and seven steals.

Sanchez (6-4) suffered the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings against the Cubs. He struck out three.

Sanchez's outing began in a familiar manner, as he allowed no runs through the first three innings while being staked with an early 2-0 lead. But Sanchez, who has done a great job this year at avoiding the big inning, couldn't escape that trap Thursday, allowing six batters to reach base during a five-run fourth. He then saw his day end prematurely after the first two batters reached base in the fifth. All told, Sanchez, who was coming off a complete-game shutout and had allowed just one earned run over 23 innings during his previous three starts, allowed a season-high seven runs, lifting his season ERA more than half a run from 2.41 to 2.96. He'll look to rebound next week when the Phillies host a showdown series against the Dodgers.

Manager Pat Murphy said Thursday that Wilson will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Following the acquisition of Aaron Civale from Tampa Bay, Wilson will end up as the odd man out of Milwaukee's rotation. The 26-year-old owns a 4.27 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through 78 innings on the season, though his numbers drop to a 3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in his 11 appearances as a reliever. He'll likely be asked to handle a multi-inning role as he moves to the Brewers' bullpen, and he could return to the rotation if another one of Milwaukee's starters gets injured.

Taillon (5-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out seven.

Taillon allowed a two-out, solo home run by Nick Castellanos in the fourth that left the Cubs in a 2-0 hole, but Taillon then received nine runs of support while retiring 10 of the last 11 Phillies he faced to cruise to his fifth victory of the season. It was the fifth-straight start for Taillon in which he's tossed at least six innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 30 strikeouts over 29 innings during that stretch. He's set up to face another tough matchup in his next start, likely to take place next week when the Cubs travel to Baltimore to take on the Orioles.

Rojas isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game against Arizona.

After going 1-for-7 through the first two games of the series, Rojas will ride the pine for the series finale Thursday. His absence will allow Enrique Hernandez to start at shortstop, batting eighth.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Smith went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Wednesday's loss, and he'll get a breather for Thursday's rubber match. Austin Barnes will start at catcher instead and bat ninth.

Diaz said his calf is still a little bit tight Thursday, which is why he's not sprinting full out on the bases, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Diaz was reinstated from the 10-day injured list June 30 after nursing a left calf strain. Since his return, the catcher is 6-for-18 with two doubles. However, it appears the calf injury is still lingering, as the 33-year-old says he will be careful about it.

Mitchell isn't in the Brewers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Mitchell has gone 2-for-9 with an RBI and three walks since returning from the injured list Monday, and he'll give way to Jackson Chourio in right field for Thursday's series finale.