Kershaw to land on DL today
Left-hander leaves Sunday’s start after just two innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw left his start against the Braves after two innings because of right low back tightness Sunday.
The All-Star left-hander was pitching to Tyler Flowers with two outs in the second when it appeared Kershaw might have pulled something. A trainer came out to the mound to check him. After tossing a couple of practice pitches, Kershaw resumed facing Flowers and walked him.
Kershaw struck out Matt Adams to end the inning and then retreated to the clubhouse. He struck out two and walked one on 21 pitches.
Kershaw is 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA and had a 14-start unbeaten streak coming into the game, which the Dodgers won 5-4 in 10 innings.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that this is a “disabled list situation,” so expect Kershaw to go on the 10-day DL today.
Kershaw was sidelined for 2½ months last year with a herniated disk in his back.
Nationals: Stephen Strasburg left Sunday’s game in the second inning after struggling with his control. There was no word from the Nationals explaining the righthander’s departure. Strasburg, 10-3 with a 3.31 ERA entering the game, threw 51 pitches, 29 strikes.
■ Nationals outfielder Chris Heisey was put on the 10-day disabled list because of a left groin strain.
Orioles: Closer Zach Britton converted his AL-record 55th straight save opportunity Sunday. Tom Gordon, who recorded 54 straight saves with Boston from 1998-99, had held the mark. Britton started his run on Oct. 1, 2015, added 47 in a row last season and is 6 for 6 this year. The major league record of 84 is held by Eric Gagne of the Dodgers from 2002-04. Saves became an official statistic in 1969.
Astros: Rookie Colin Moran was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a facial fracture, and the third baseman remained hospitalized Sunday to receive treatment for the injury. Moran, 24, fouled a ball off his face in the sixth inning of Saturday night’s win over the Orioles. His face was bloodied and he had difficulty retaining his balance before being carted off the field.
Yankees: New York acquired first baseman Ryan McBroom from the Blue Jays for utility player Rob Refsnyder, who was designated for assignment Wednesday.
■ Second baseman Starlin Castro was put back on the 10-day DL with a strained right hamstring and infielder-outfielder Tyler Wade was recalled from Triple-A.
Rays: Tampa Bay acquired reliever Sergio Romo from the Dodgers for a player to be named or cash. Romo, 34, was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday. He was 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in 30 appearances.
Red Sox: Third baseman Rafael Devers will be called up today after Boston failed to find a better solution on the trade market. Devers will make his MLB debut against the Mariners on Tuesday.
Rangers: Third baseman Adrian Beltre tripled and singled Sunday, moving him to within 11 hits of 3,000.
Twins: Center fielder Byron Buxton (strained groin) will be activated before Tuesday’s game at the Dodgers.