Must see TV, Lopez makes his debut

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn announced Tuesday evening that top pitching prospect Reynaldo Lopez will be called up to start Friday night’s series opener against the Royals, adding that he expects the 23-year-old right-hander to be up for good.

Lopez was acquired from the Nationals in December as part of the Adam Eaton trade and he has registered a 3.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 131/49 K/BB ratio over 121 innings this season at Triple-A Charlotte. If those numbers don’t do anything for you, consider his recent production: a 2.70 ERA, .193 opponents' batting average, and 63 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings since June 29.

Lopez struggled in his first taste of the majors last year in Washington, but the rebuilding White Sox have been able to take a more player-friendly approach to his development and the hard-throwing Dominican now looks far more ready for his close-up. He should be added in most standard mixed fantasy leagues and made active for his White Sox debut against a Kansas City offense that ranks 23rd in runs scored.

Mike Pelfrey has been demoted to the White Sox bullpen to vacate a rotation spot for Lopez. The 33-year-old right-hander stands 3-10 with a 5.31 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 59/47 K/BB ratio in 95 innings (19 starts, two relief appearances) this season.

Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw Making Quick Progress

When the Dodgers placed ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the disabled list July 24 with a lower back strain, the expectation was that he would miss 4-6 weeks. Just two weeks into that suggested timetable, Kershaw is already raring to return to the Los Angeles rotation.

Kershaw played long toss and then threw all of his pitches in a flat-ground throwing session Tuesday at Arizona’s Chase Field, working out of both the stretch and windup. “I feel healthy,” he told MLB.com beat writer Ken Gurnick afterward. “I don't feel I've lost much.”

Kershaw is planning to throw a bullpen session this weekend at Dodger Stadium and could then advance to simulated work. He said he’ll likely need one minor league rehab start before returning.

The 29-year-old had a dominant 2.04 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 168/24 K/BB ratio through 141 1/3 innings this season for a Dodgers team that is currently 79-33  -- 15 games up in the National League West. Look for Kershaw to return to a major league mound around the final week of August.

Who gets bumped from the Dodgers' rotation to clear a spot for Kershaw is, right now, a very tough call.

Cobb Lands On DL With Turf Toe

Rays right-hander Alex Cobb looked sharp in his last start Saturday against the Brewers, striking out six batters and issuing just one walk over six innings of one-run ball. But he felt discomfort in his right foot near the end of that outing and he was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with what is being called turf toe. An injury that could only come about in Tampa Bay or Toronto.

The hope for now is that he’ll be ready to return to the Rays’ rotation as soon as he is eligible.

Filling in for Cobb on Thursday against the Indians will be left-hander Blake Snell, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham last Friday but did not make an appearance there. The talented 24-year-old left-hander has posted a disappointing 4.98 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and 64/41 K/BB ratio in 72 1/3 innings this season for Tampa Bay and probably shouldn’t be trusted in mixed fantasy leagues versus Cleveland.

Cobb, 29, owns a useful 9-8 record, 3.80 ERA, 1.218 WHIP, and 96/37 K/BB ratio in 147 innings this year.

Giancarlo Stanton

National League Quick Hits: Rockies manager Bud Black said Tuesday that there is no timetable for Ian Desmond's return from his late-July calf strain … Giancarlo Stanton blasted his league-leading 38th home run on Tuesday as the Marlins topped the Nationals … Matt Harvey (shoulder) said he expects to begin a minor league rehab assignment in the next week or two … Johnny Cueto (forearm) plans to resume throwing this weekend … Braves infielder Johan Camargo (knee) is headed to the disabled list after falling awkwardly while taking the field ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies … Dansby Swanson is likely to be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday … Andrew McCutchen clubbed his 23rd home run of the season on Tuesday, powering the Pirates to a victory over the Tigers … Daniel Murphy was held out of the Nationals' starting lineup on Tuesday due to hip discomfort … Odubel Herrera went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, a walk, and two steals as the Phillies topped the Braves on Tuesday … Despite giving up a solo homer, A.J. Ramos picked up his first save for the Mets against the Rangers on Tuesday … Adam Wainwright dealt with a cut on his right middle finger during Sunday's abbreviated start in Cincinnati … Jake Lamb launched a solo homer and a go-ahead grand slam in the Diamondbacks’ defeat of the Dodgers on Tuesday … Howie Kendrick was held out of the Nationals' starting lineup Tuesday due to a sore back … Padres outfielder Jose Pirela went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a win over the Reds on Tuesday … Brewers right-hander Chase Anderson (oblique) allowed one run over 3 1/3 innings Tuesday in his rehab debut with Low-A Wisconsin … Yadier Molina went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI on Tuesday, leading the Cardinals to another rout of the Royals … Marlins reliever Kyle Barraclough (shoulder) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday … Anthony Banda will make another start for the Diamondbacks on Thursday against the Dodgers … Braves outfielder Matt Kemp (hamstring) has been cleared for baseball activities … Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session on Wednesday … Buster Posey hit a go-ahead three-run homer and stole a ase in the Giants’ defeat of the Cubs on Tuesday night in San Francisco … Marlins placed left-handed starter Chris O'Grady on the 10-day disabled list with a right oblique strain … Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday … An MRI revealed a fracture in the right hand of Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp … Padres signed right-hander Jordan Lyles to a minor league contract.

American League Quick Hits: 

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said CC Sabathia "tweaked" his right knee in the third inning Tuesday night in Toronto and will be sent back to New York for reevaluation … Corey Kluber punched out 11 batters and allowed just one run Tuesday in a complete-game victory over the Rockies … Chris Sale notched 13 punchouts and surrendered just two singles in eight shutout innings Tuesday in a win over the Rays … Rangers right-hander Andrew Cashner was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Mets due to a stiff neck … Carlos Correa (thumb) won't try to swing a bat until early next week … 

White Sox placed Matt Davidson on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to August 4, with a right wrist contusion … Hanley Ramirez (oblique) remained out of the Red Sox starting lineup on Tuesday … Josh Donaldson hit a pair of two-run homers in the Blue Jays’ defeat of the Yankees on Tuesday … Michael Fulmer (elbow) plans to do some light throwing on Wednesday … Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (hip, back) is still limited to light baseball activities … Yan Gomes crushed a walk-off, three-run homer to beat the Rockies on Tuesday … Felix Hernandez is expected to be sidelined 3-4 weeks after getting diagnosed with right shoulder bursitis … Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias is due to return from the bereavement list on Wednesday … Jake Odorizzi (back) will rejoin the Rays' rotation on Wednesday against the Red Sox … Indians manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Andrew Miller is making progress in his recovery from right knee tendinitis … Michael Brantley left Tuesday’s game against the Rockies after suffering a right ankle sprain … Angels placed third baseman Yunel Escobar on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain … Avisail Garcia (thumb) went 2-for-5 with a double and a pair of runs scored as the White Sox topped the Astros on Tuesday … Andrew Heaney (elbow) could join the Angels’ starting rotation this weekend … Salvador Perez (intercostal) said Monday that the pain in his right side "has gone down a little bit" since he received an injection … Evan Gattis is still experiencing concussion symptoms … Mitch Haniger (face) has been cleared for weightlifting and light conditioning … Rangers placed setup man Keone Kela back on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury … Max Kepler went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs on Tuesday as the Twins crushed the Brewers … Tigers optioned third base prospect Jeimer Candelario back to Triple-A Toledo … Starlin Castro (hamstring) took batting practice Tuesday … Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Aaron Sanchez (blister) continues to make "slow progress” … Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (oblique) appears on track to return from the disabled list this weekend … Mariners placed reliever David Phelps on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to August 7, with a right elbow impingement … Devon Travis (knee) fielded grounders and took batting practice on Tuesday afternoon in Toronto … Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris (groin) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday … Greg Bird (ankle) took batting practice Tuesday and could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week … Matt Shoemaker underwent season-ending surgery Tuesday to release the radial nerve in his right forearm … Royals manager Ned Yost said he's going to give Alex Gordon "more than a day" to regroup and work on his swing … Rays right-hander Matt Andriese (hip) could begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday with High-A Charlotte … Mariners acquired reliever Ernesto Frieri from the Rangers for cash considerations.