LEADING OFF: Kershaw, Strasburg ailing; Cubs get boost

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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AILING ALL OVER

Star pitchers Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals are recovering after getting injured Sunday, as is Cardinals on-base machine Matt Carpenter. Kershaw isheaded to the disabled listwith another back injury, this time suffering from tightness in the lower right side. Strasburg, meanwhile, says he hasn't felt right since the All-Star break because of"achiness" in his forearm - he left after two innings Sunday to hopefully "nip it in the bud now." Carpenter is dealing with right quad tightness and is considered day to day.

HERE HE COMES

The Cubs could get another boost with the return of Kyle Hendricks, who has been sidelined by pain in the middle finger of his right hand. Hendricks will make his first start since June 4 when the Cubs host the crosstown White Sox. The right-hander went 16-6 with a major league-best 2.13 ERA last season, but has been limited to just 11 starts this year. "My finger's feeling good," Hendricks said. "So it took that amount of time and it is what it is. Obviously I would have liked to come back sooner, but yeah, I'm glad we took the course we did and hopefully it can pay out later down the road."

THE GREAT JAKE

Mets ace Jacob deGrom (11-3, 3.37 ERA) has won seven straight starts. He has a 1.51 ERA in that span, striking out 50 and walking 10. He'll try to extend the streak when New York begins a 10-game road trip by visiting San Diego.

STRUGGLING CAIN

San Francisco right-hander Matt Cain (3-8, 5.49) will try to avoid matching the longest losing streak of his career at eight games - from July 28, 2015-May 10, 2016 - when he pitches the series opener at home against Pittsburgh.

ACTION PAXTON

Mariners left-hander James Paxton (9-3, 3.06) is 4-0 with 2.05 ERA in four July starts. He'll make his third career start against Boston, and he's 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA against the Red Sox. He'll be opposed by lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (4-2, 3.66).

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LEADING OFF: Kershaw, Dodgers roll; Colon makes Twins debut

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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DAZZLING DODGERS

Clayton Kershaw pitches for the first time since the All-Star break, trying extend a couple of big winning streaks for the Dodgers. LA has the best record in the big leagues and will go for its 10th straight victory when it visits the Chicago White Sox. Kershaw tops the majors with a 14-2 record - the NL West leaders have won the lefty's last 13 starts. Kershaw has never faced the White Sox on the road.

CORREA UPDATE

All-Star Carlos Correa is set to be re-evaluated after leaving with an injured left thumb on Monday. Correa jammed the thumb earlier this month on a headfirst slide and missed a game, then came up injured again Monday following a big swing and miss. Houston isn't sure how long Correa might be out. "I've been playing through some pain the last couple of days and hopefully, it's nothing big," he said. "I felt a lot of pain in my finger and felt like I couldn't go back in there."

WELCOME BACK

Bartolo Colon makes his debut with Minnesota, joining his 10th major league team. He'll start for the contending Twins against the Yankees at Target Field.

The burly 44-year-old was released two weeks ago by Atlanta after 13 starts and an unsightly 8.14 ERA. He had a rocky start last week with Triple-A Rochester, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings, but the Twins have struggled badly to fill the fifth spot in the rotation. Colon will be the 11th pitcher to start a game for them this season. He made his big league debut in 1997, when 60-year-old Twins manager Paul Molitor was still playing.

MARTE RETURNS

Outfielder Starling Marte rejoins the Pirates after serving an 80-game suspension. A two-time Gold Glove winner in left field, he returns to play vs. Milwaukee at PNC Park. Marte began the year in center field - without him, Andrew McCutchen moved back to his original spot. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle intends to keep McCutchen in center.

NEW NATS

Relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle join the Nationals in Los Angeles for the start of a series against the Angels. The NL East leaders acquired the duo from Oakland on Sunday. They'll try to shore up a bullpen that's been Washington's weak spot. The Nationals are coming off a four-game sweep of the Reds in Cincinnati.

CUT SHORT

Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda is set to have Tommy John surgery, likely putting him out of action until at least late next year. The 28-year-old righty is 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 17 starts. He is eligible for free agency after this season.

Dodgers place Kershaw on DL

"The Line Drive" Staff Report

MILWAUKEE -- The Los Angeles Dodgers placed pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day disabled list with lower back pain.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it's unknown whether his ace will return in the minimum time.

Kershaw received an epidural injection for pain, but the club did not release an injury diagnosis.

Kershaw had been receiving treatment for the condition for two weeks, but reported more discomfort Monday after losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday night.