Kershaw headed for DL
The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw is headed to the disabled list after his latest back injury.
The All-Star left-hander left his start against Atlanta after two innings Sunday because of lower back tightness.
Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw felt something on his last warm-up pitch going into the second inning.
“Just felt a little something in my back that wasn’t normal,” Kershaw said.
After a couple of practice pitches in front of a team trainer, Kershaw resumed facing Tyler Flowers with two outs and walked him. Kershaw struck out Matt Adams to end the inning and headed into the clubhouse.
“It is a DL situation,” Roberts said. “It will take 10 days regardless.”
Kershaw was sidelined for 2½ months last year with a herniated disk in his back. He didn’t need surgery and returned to pitch the Dodgers into the NL Championship Series.
“I’ve done just countless hours of back maintenance and rehab and everything just trying to stay healthy, and felt really, really good up to this point,” Kershaw said. “So, there’s definitely some frustration.”
Also headed to the DL is Dodgers starter Brandon McCarthy, who has a blister. Strasburg exits: Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg left his start at Arizona after two innings because of what he called slight “achiness” in his forearm.
“The All-Star break kind of messed up me throwing-wise and treatment-wise,” he said. “I think my arm is just kind of taking a while to get back in the swing of things, unfortunately. I pitched through it last game and obviously did well. But it was kind of still lingering there and I said ‘You know what, I’ve got to be smart about it.’ ”
In his previous start in Cincinnati, Strasburg went seven innings.
“It’s not really like intense pain in a specific area,” he said. “It’s just kind of like general tightness and I’m having a tough time to really get loose out there.” Moran on DL: Houston rookie Colin Moran was placed on the 10-day DL with a facial fracture, and the third baseman remained hospitalized Sunday to receive treatment.
Moran fouled a ball off his face Saturday during the Astros’ 8-4 win over the Orioles. His face was bloodied and he had difficulty retaining his balance before being carted off the field. Briefly: Infielder Danny Espinosa, released by the Angels last week after hitting .162, has signed with the Mariners, Yahoo Sports reported . ... The Red Sox announced that they will promote third baseman Rafael Devers from Triple-A Pawtucket in time for Monday’s game against the Mariners . ... Infielder Rob Refsnyder, designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday, was traded to the Blue Jays for minor-league first baseman Ryan McBroom.