LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who left Saturday's game against the Cubs with tendinitis in his right knee, is expected to stay on schedule and start again on Thursday in St. Louis.
After needing only 79 pitches to throw six scoreless innings against the Cubs at Dodger Stadium, McCarthy was taken out of the game and sent for an MRI exam. McCarthy said he's been battling soreness in the knee since Spring Training and it's just something he will have to manage.
"Most of the season through spring, it's just been something we've been trying to maintain," McCarthy said. "It has really good days, and it has bad days. Yesterday was the first day it was getting sore, but literally the start before, I didn't feel it."
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McCarthy has dealt with multiple injury issues in his career, spending time on the disabled list on 14 occasions.
Manager Dave Roberts said the team will monitor McCarthy during his starts and he will continue to receive treatment on his knee as the season progresses.
"It's something where he's going to continue to make starts and just manage it," Roberts said. "It's not something that we feel could get worse."

Pederson still going through concussion tests
Center fielder Joc Pederson, on the seven-day concussion DL, is still feeling the effects of his Wednesday collision in the outfield with Yasiel Puig.
"Every day is getting a little bit better, but there's some sort of haze going on," Roberts said. "Right now, it's not about the baseball component; it's more about just getting that to subside."
Roberts said Pederson could join the team during its seven-game road trip, which begins on Monday, but Pederson was advised by doctors to stay away from bright lights and minimize his time in the dugout.
"He is able," Roberts said about Pederson being able to sit in the dugout. "But I think that, from our medical staff, it's best for him to not be in the dugout and just take care of his treatment stuff with the head and to not have a sensory overload."

Turner traveling on road trip
The Dodgers haven't set a return date for injured third baseman Justin Turner, but he'll be on hand when the club travels through St. Louis and Milwaukee this week.
"I don't know when he'll be active, but we want him to be around our medical staff," Roberts said.
Turner injured his right hamstring on May 18 and was placed on the 10-day DL.
Dodgers trade Sweeney to Reds
The Dodgers traded Minor League infielder Darnell Sweeney to the Reds for future considerations. It is the second time the Dodgers have traded Sweeney, who also was included in the 2015 deal with the Phillies for Chase Utley, then was traded back to the Dodgers in the Howie Kendrick deal. Sunday's trade comes two days after the Dodgers claimed infielder Mike Freeman off waivers from Seattle.