Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

April 20 (The Sports Xchange) - Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw appears ready for a rehab assignment after hurling a 51-pitch simulated game on Sunday. The two-time Cy Young Award winner did not report any problems following the workout. Kershaw has been on the disabled list with an upper back problem. A source told the Los Angeles Times that Kershaw could rejoin the Dodgers on their next road trip, which is from April 29 through May 7. The left hander reached 90 mph during Sunday's effort, according to manager Don Mattingly. Kershaw had been scheduled to throw only two innings, but was allowed to pitch a third inning. It was his first time throwing without restrictions since his Opening Day start in Australia nearly one month ago. Kershaw threw all his pitches without pain, and completed his normal meticulous 34-pitch pregame ritual. - - - - The Detroit Tigers released Opening Day shortstop Alex Gonzalez. The 37-year-old Gonzalez started the opener against the Kansas City Royals and delivered the winning hit in the ninth inning but ended up going just 5-for-30 the first three weeks of the season. Andrew Romine was in Sunday's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels at shortstop. The Tigers traded for Gonzalez and Romine in the offseason. Gonzalez batted just .177 in 113 at-bats with the Milwaukee Brewers last year. - - - - The New York Yankees placed right-hander Ivan Nova on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI revealed a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow. Nova will be further examined Monday in New York by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. The Yankees made several other moves Sunday. They reinstated first baseman Mark Teixeira from the 15-day disabled list, recalled right-hander Preston Claiborne from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and right-hander Bryan Mitchell from Double-A Trenton, optioned infielder Scott Sizemore to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated right-hander Matt Daley for assignment. - - - - The Minnesota Twins designated outfielder Darin Mastroianni for assignment and claimed outfielder Sam Fuld off waivers. Fuld was waived by Oakland April 12. Fuld, 32, started the season with the Athletics and hit .200 with two triples and a home run. The 28-year-old Mastroianni appeared in seven games this year, going hitless in 11 at-bats. (Editing by Steve Keating.)