Major League Baseball

LEADING OFF: Kershaw tests streak vs Reds, Colon faces Nats

Published May. 23, 2016 3:17 a.m. ET

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

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K ZONE

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (6-1, 1.67 ERA) looks to extend his franchise record by striking out 10 or more hitters for a seventh consecutive game when Los Angeles hosts the Reds. Kershaw struck out 11 Angels his last time out and has 88 strikeouts and four walks in 70 innings this season. Cincinnati is opening an 11-day, 10-game trip with LHP Brandon Finnegan (1-2, 4.44) on the mound.

42 AND COUNTING

On the eve of his 43rd birthday, Bartolo Colon (3-3, 3.75 ERA) starts for the Mets in their series opener at rival Washington. On the mound for the Nationals is New York nemesis Gio Gonzalez (3-1, 1.86), who beat Colon last week at Citi Field.

WAIT AND SEE

The Tigers are hoping for good news on Jordan Zimmermann. The right-hander left a game Sunday with a strained groin and was scheduled for an MRI. ''We're going to hold off on anything concerning Zimm until we get a diagnosis,'' manager Brad Ausmus said. ''You certainly don't want to see the guy who has been your best pitcher all year get injured.'' Slugger Miguel Cabrera is expected to be fine after exiting Sunday with a left knee bruise from being hit by a pitch.

YU READY?

Yu Darvish seems about ready to return to the Rangers rotation. The Japanese right-hander threw six scoreless innings Sunday in a Double-A game, likely his last rehab appearance in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Darvish hasn't pitched in a big league game since Aug. 9, 2014.

FIRST LOOKS

Ryan Howard is losing playing time to youngster Tommy Joseph. The 2006 NL MVP has the majors' lowest batting average at .161, and the left-handed slugger sat against a right-handed pitcher Sunday in favor of Joseph. Philadelphia is off to Detroit, where Joseph will play first base while Howard serves as the designated hitter. The Phillies pitch blossoming right-hander Vince Velasquez (5-1, 2.42).

UP-HILL BATTLE

The A's have lost four straight and are looking for LHP Rich Hill (6-3, 2.54) to serve as a stopper when they open a series in Seattle. Hill is 5-1 with a 1.96 ERA over his last six starts.

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