Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg working to fix mechanics
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(6:57 pm ET) Nationals shelved starter Stephen Strasburg is trying to kill two birds with one stone. While he works on recovering from a left trapezius strain, he is also tinkering with his mechanics.

Strasburg has played catch on flat ground, but not yet off the rubber, after being placed on the disabled list Saturday. He believes he might have subconsciously altered his mechanics, skewing the alignment of his delivery, due to a sprained ankle sustained in spring training.

The right-hander has been a mess most of the year, but particularly in recent starts. He allowed 16 runs in his last 13 innings covering four starts as his ERA catapulted from 4.73 to 6.55.

Cashman: Yankees’ Jacoby Ellsbury has another week in brace
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(6:55 pm ET) Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is still wearing “a lineman looking brace”, general manager Brian Cashman said on Friday, per ESPN.

Ellsbury is on the disabled list with a knee sprain. Cashman said he’ll have to wear the large brace for at least another week. 

Nationals SP Doug Fister (forearm) to make Triple-A start Sunday
by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(6:44 pm ET) Nationals starter Doug Fister, who has been on the disabled list since May 14 with tightness in his right forearm, will make a rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Syracuse, per MLB.com. 

Fister, who threw a 40-pitch bullpen session on Thursday that featured all of his pitches, will be re-evaluated after the start. There is no timetable for his return. 

Fister is 2-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 39 2/3 innings of work this season. 

Pirates 3B Josh Harrison gets a day off Friday
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(6:42 pm ET) Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison is out of the lineup for Friday’s clash with the Braves. Harrison had been in the lineup in 20 of the previous 21 games and each of the last five games, so he’ll get a breather on Friday.

In that 20-game span, Harrison is batting a robust .365 with two home runs, seven doubles and 12 RBI. Jung Ho Kang will handle the hot corner with Jordy Mercer slotted in at shortstop on Friday.

Dodgers give 3B Justin Turner a rest Friday
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(6:36 pm ET) Dodgers hot-hitting third baseman Justin Turner is out of the lineup Friday against St. Louis. Alberto Callaspo is taking his place.

Turner has four two-hit performances in the last eight games and owns a .303/.381/.496 slash line.

Padres’ Melvin Upton homers as rehab assignment hits 40 AB
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(6:31 pm ET) Padres outfielder Melvin Upton hit a home run on Thursday for Triple-A El Paso. 

Upton is on injury rehab assignment for the left foot sesamoiditis that landed him on the 15-day disabled list. 

Upton’s rehab assignment has lasted 12 games and 46 at bats, so far. He’s hitting .283 with a .731 OPS. He’s striking out once every four at bats and has six RBI. 

Dodgers 2B Howie Kendrick a no-go again Friday
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(6:31 pm ET) Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick is out again Friday against St. Louis with a knee issue. Enrique Hernandez is set to start instead.

An MRI has shown no structural damage to the knee, but he is still ailing.

Dodgers option RP Daniel Coulombe to Triple-A on Friday
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(6:29 pm ET) The Dodgers announced Friday that they have optioned left-hander Daniel Coulombe to Triple-A. His demotion clears a spot on the roster for outfielder Scott Schebler, was was reacalled from Oklahoma City.

Coulombe has made two relief appearances with the Dodgers this season, posting a hefty 8.10 ERA over 3 1/3 innings. 

Padres’ Brandon Morrow to make rehab start on Sunday
by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(6:27 pm ET) Padres pitcher Brandon Morrow is scheduled to make his second minor league rehab start on Sunday. 

Morrow threw four scoreless innings in Double-A San Antonio on Tuesday. He’ll start for San Antonio again on Sunday, and, if all goes well, return to the Padres rotation, per the Union-Tribune. 

Morrow is on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Dodgers promote OF Scott Schebler from Triple-A on Friday
by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(6:26 pm ET) The Dodgers have recalled outfielder Scott Schebler from Triple-A Oklahoma City, the team announced on Friday. Schebler, 24, has never tasted the Major Leagues before. He was a 26th round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2010. 

This season with Triple-A, Schebler owns a .216/.307/.389 batting line in 189 at-bats. He has six home runs and 15 RBI in 49 games. 

The Dodgers are throwing the rookie right into the fire, as he is in the starting lineup for Friday’s matchup with the Cardinals. He’ll bat seventh and play left field.

To clear room on the 25-man roster, left-hander Daniel Coulombe was optioned to Triple-A.