Los Angeles Dodgers

For several years now to little or no avail, Dodgers rivals have waited for Clayton Kershaw to pitch more like a mortal.

Kershaw, the best pitcher of his generation by most accounts, has maintained a Hall of Fame-level of dominance while leading the Dodgers to four consecutive NL West titles.

But, finally, there are signs of slippage.

A herniated disk in his lower back ailed Kershaw last season. Although he still managed to record career bests in walks/hits per innings pitched (0.725) and his walk rate (0.7 per nine innings), the injury kept him off the mound for more than two months.

Now, there’s another development: Kershaw is giving up home runs at a much higher rate than in the last two seasons.

Kershaw allowed three home runs against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, increasing his homer total to 10 in 11 starts. He gave up only eight home runs in 21 starts last year. In 2015, he allowed 15 homers in a leaguehigh 33 starts.

His home rate of 1.2 per nine innings is about twice his career average.

But Kershaw, 29, still is a true ace. He’ll take a 2.37 ERA into his next scheduled start, at Milwaukee this weekend.

uLeft- hander Alex Wood, who has a 251⁄ 3- inning scoreless streak, was placed on the disabled list because of a joint issue near his shoulder. Reliever Brandon

Morrow was called up from Class AAA Oklahoma City.