LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw yielded four hits over seven innings, Justin Turner homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their three-game losing streak with an 8-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Kershaw (4-2) struck out eight and walked one never allowing Cincinnati to get a runner to third base. Matt Beaty drove in two runs with a pinch single on his 28th birthday during a six-run eighth. Nick Senzel matched his career high with four hits as the Reds were shut out for the fourth time. Sonny Gray (0-2) pitched four-hit ball into the sixth while striking out 11 and allowing four hits and three walks. CARDINALS 5, PHILLIES 3 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andrew McCutchen returned to the lineup and drove in the go-ahead run, helping Philadelphia beat St. Louis after Bryce Harper was hit in the face by a pitch. Harper left the game in the sixth inning after getting hit in his left cheek on a 96.9 mph fastball from left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera (0-1). Cabrera hit the next batter,... [More]

Northcraft, who cleared waivers Tuesday, will be a non-roster invitee to major-league spring training, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With the Padres sporting a deep stable of rotation options, Northcraft is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster. He was recently designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for James Shields.

Northcraft was designated for assignment by the Padres on Wednesday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Northcraft was moved to the Padres as part of the deal that also brought Justin Upton to town. He was designated for assignment in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for the recently-acquired James Shields, and will likely begin the season at the Triple-A level, but could still receive an invite to big league spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Northcraft was traded to the Padres on Friday, Corey Brock of the Padres' official site reports.

Northcraft split 2014 between Double-A and Triple-A, finishing the season with a 4.70 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 113 strikeouts in 130.1 innings between the two teams. He will head to the Padres along with Justin Upton in exchange for Max Fried, Dustin Peterson and Jace Peterson.

Northcraft was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Northcraft will serve as an emergency reliever in case Sunday's starter, James Russell, is unable to provide the Braves with quality innings. Ian Thomas was also recalled for a similar purpose.

Braves right-handed pitching prospect Aaron Northcraft struck out six batters in 5 2/3 innings for Double-A Mississippi on Monday.

Northcraft has taken his return assignment to the Southern League as a mission to make the hitters look as silly as possible. He has been quite successful, holding opposing hitters to a .169/.225/.301 line while putting up a 2.82 ERA, 0.896 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9. Northcraft would be in Triple-A in most organizations, but the Braves have a loaded rotation in Atlanta and in Triple-A, but Northcraft will get his chance in the event of injuries or poor performance.

Braves optioned RHP Aaron Northcraft to Triple-A Gwinnitt; reassigned OF Matt Lipka, RHPs Jason Hursh, J.R. Graham, Yunesky Maya, Mark Lamm and Cody Martin, 3B Edward Salcedo, LHP Hector Daniel Rodriguez, Cs Matt Kennelly, Jose Yepez and Braeden Schlehuber and 1B Mark Hamilton to minor league camp.

There are no surprise cuts among this group. Graham is the highest rated of the bunch and could make his major league debut sometime this season as long as he's over his shoulder issues. Northcraft could also be an option for the rotation at some point with all the Braves' injury issues involving their starters.