MILWAUKEE -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw received an epidural injection for his sore lower back and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday's game in Milwaukee.
"Clayton yesterday got an epidural, so at this point we're going to put him on the disabled list," Robert said. "And use the All-Star break, obviously, with the four days. And in the coming days, we should know more how that epidural--how he responds to that--and that will give us some more direction."
Roberts did not know how long Kershaw is expected to be out, or who would make his scheduled start Friday at home against Colorado.
The three-time NL Cy Young winner is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA this season. He lost his last start on Sunday night in Pittsburgh, giving up four runs and nine hits in six innings (see full story).
Giants: Bumgarner to hit for himself in AL park
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Madison Bumgarner will get to hit for himself -- even in an American League park.
San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy says he plans to use his slugging pitcher instead of a designated hitter Thursday night when the Giants visit the Oakland Athletics.
It will be the first time a team intentionally used a pitcher to hit instead of a DH since the Chicago White Sox allowed Ken Brett to do it in 1976. The Rays were forced to bat pitcher Andy Sonnanstine in 2009 because of a lineup card mix-up.
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Bumgarner is batting .175 this season with two homers and five RBIs in 40 at-bats. He has nine homers in 183 at-bats the past three seasons, a rate that would lead to about 36 home runs if he had a full season as a hitter. Bumgarner has even made a public plea to enter into the All-Star Home Run Derby.
Marlins: Rodney acquired in trade with Padres
ATLANTA -- The Miami Marlins have acquired closer Fernando Rodney from San Diego to bolster their bullpen for the NL wild-card chase.
Manager Don Mattingly has yet to express a lack of faith in A.J. Ramos, who has converted 33 saves opportunities since last season, so Rodney likely will serve as a setup man. Mattingly was expected to discuss the deal Thursday.
Miami traded minor league pitcher Chris Paddack to the Padres. The Marlins are one-half game ahead of two teams in the wild-card race.
Rodney, 39, will join his seventh team and sixth since 2011. He has 17 saves with 0.31 ERA in 28 games this year.
The Marlins said Rodney was not expected to arrive for the first of four games against the Atlanta Braves.
Dodgers: Bud Norris acquired from Braves
MILWAUKEE -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired veteran pitcher Bud Norris from the Atlanta Braves.
The move Thursday comes on the same day the Dodgers said ace Clayton Kershaw will be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a back injury
In the deal, the Dodgers also received minor league outfielder Dian Toscano, a player to be named and cash considerations from Atlanta for minor league pitchers Philip Pfeifer and Caleb Dirks.
Over his last five starts, Norris is 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA, 29 strikeouts and eight walks over 29 1/3 innings. Norris is in his eighth season and this year is 3-7 with a 4.22 ERA. The 31-year-old pitcher has also pitched for Houston, Baltimore and San Diego. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Braves in November (see full story).
Yankees: Sabathia's next start pushed back
NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees will push CC Sabathia's next start back a day so he won't have to bat and run the bases in an interleague series at San Diego.
The Yankees will call up Chad Green from Triple-A to pitch Sunday against the Padres. Sabathia will start Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
Manager Joe Girardi said Thursday that he didn't want to risk injury for the 35-year-old left-hander.
The right-handed Green has made one start for New York this season, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits in four innings in a May 16 loss at Arizona. He pitched one scoreless inning in relief June 12 against Detroit before being sent down the next day.
The 25-year-old is 6-6 with a 1.54 ERA in 14 starts at Triple-A this season.
