Dodger star Ohtani to test knee off mound
MLB notebook
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PHILADELPHIA -- Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound sometime later this week, but there is no timetable for his return to the rotation.
Ohtani had been scheduled to start against the Phillies in the finale of the three-game series in Philadelphia on Wednesday. But left knee irritation that kept him out of last week's All-Star Game scrapped those plans.
The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He received a lubricant injection in his balky knee, which does not bother him while batting.
Manager Dave Roberts said the injection, bypassing the All-Star game and skipping the scheduled start is not because the issue is worsening. Rather, that it has "not gotten better."
"All that stuff is trying to give us the best chance to be out of the woods entirely," Roberts said before Monday's game against Philadelphia.
Roberts indicated that Ohtani would try to throw off the mound later this week, saying it could happen on Thursday or Friday. The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday, an off day. They begin a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday.
Coming and going
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Jameson Taillon and placed reliever Phil Maton back on the 15-day injured list with right knee tendinitis. Taillon was slated to start the opener of a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.
He had been sidelined by a left hamstring strain. Chicago also added Aaron Civale to its 26-man roster two days after it acquired the right-hander in a trade with the Athletics. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was designated for assignment. The 33-year-old Maton has gone on the IL with right knee tendinitis three times this year.
O's minus one starter
BOSTON -- The Baltimore Orioles placed All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation on Monday before their series opener against the Boston Red Sox.
It's the third time on the IL this season for the 28-year-old Rutschman. He missed time in April with left ankle inflammation and was out in mid-June with a concussion.
To take his spot on the roster, the club promoted catcher Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Norfolk.
Rutschman is batting .251 with eight homers and 47 RBIs. Fellow catcher Samuel Basallo, who has 16 homers, was out of the lineup Monday and is day to day with right shoulder discomfort. Sam Huff, whose contract was selected from Norfolk on Sunday, started at catcher against the Red Sox.
Baltimore entered the game on a season-high seven-game winning streak.
Miami All-Stars hurting
HOUSTON -- Miami Marlins All-Star right-hander Max Meyer was placed on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain, and fellow All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez is out of the starting lineup for the second straight game.
Marlins' manager Clayton McCullough said before Monday's game against Houston that Meyer felt "a little sensation in the neck area" during his start in Seattle on July 7. He felt fine going into his start on Saturday in Milwaukee, but the sensation returned during the third inning.
Meyer is 9-1 this season with a 2.68 ERA in 20 starts. Lopez is batting .335 with nine home runs and 41 RBIs.
Rockies sending relief
DENVER -- Colorado general manager Josh Byrnes helped orchestrate a trade with his former team Monday as the Rockies sent right-hander Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor league players.
Halvorsen is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list after being placed on it earlier this month with inflammation in his right shoulder. He is 0-1 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 appearances this season.
As part of the deal, Colorado picked up righty Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek from the Dodgers. Byrnes knows the Dodgers' farm system after spending more than a decade with the team before leaving for the Rockies. He joined front-office forces with Paul DePodesta, the team's president of baseball operations.
Elsewhere:
– Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena returned to the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, while teammate Christian Walker was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game. Pena missed Sunday's loss to Baltimore after leaving Saturday's game due to a right hamstring cramp. Walker also left Saturday's game in the fourth inning due to right hip tightness. The Astros said they believe Walker should return soon to the lineup.