Braves activate Jonny Venters from disabled list - MLB

Jonny Venters tossed a scoreless inning last night in his first rehab appearance last night with Triple-A Gwinnett. He was originally expected to make two appearances before returning from the disabled list, but the Braves have decided to activate him for today’s doubleheader against the Nationals. Matt Diaz was placed on the disabled list with a right thumb contusion in a corresponding roster move.

Venters has been sidelined since July 5 with a left elbow impingement. The 27-year-old southpaw has a 4.45 ERA and 43/17 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings this season, including a 6.08 ERA since May 1. No pitcher has appeared in more games (207) since Venters made his major league debut in 2010.

Craig Kimbrel blew his second save of the season last night and has worked in each of the last three days, so Venters could find himself in the mix for a save if the Braves have a lead today.

LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle appear set to rejoin the New York Yankees ahead of their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots, saying that infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook after a 1-0 loss at Seattle.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.