Dodgers' Kershaw scratched from start, placed on injured list

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed three-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw on the injured list with back stiffness hours before Thursday's season opener against the San Francisco Giants.

Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw injured his back while working out on Tuesday.

Dustin May, who was optioned to the Dodgers' remote training location earlier on Thursday, has been recalled to make a spot start in the opener.

Kershaw has landed on the injured list with a back issue three times previously in his career, most notably a herniated disk that sidelined him over two months in 2016. The 2014 NL MVP has not pitched more than 178.1 innings or made more than 28 starts in any of the previous four seasons.

The 32-year-old also began last season on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation, but still managed to earn his eighth career All-Star nod and finished the campaign 16-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 28 starts and one relief appearance.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed LHP Clayton Kershaw on the injured list with back stiffness and have recalled right-handed pitcher Dustin May.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 23, 2020