Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw has been scratched from Sunday’s scheduled start due to inflammation in the upper left part of his back, the team announced Wednesday.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner had an MRI Wednesday that revealed the inflammation. He reported discomfort from playing catch Tuesday.
The team won’t schedule his next start until they can see Kershaw’s progress while throwing during the next week. He would have faced the San Diego Padres on Sunday night.
Kershaw, 26, won the MLB opener over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia last weekend, working 6 2/3 innings and allowing five hits, one walk and one run while striking out seven. He made 102 pitches.
Kershaw was 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA and 232 strikeouts in 236 innings last season.
Kershaw is the fourth Dodgers starter with some ailment, as Josh Beckett is on the disabled list with a bruised hand, Chad Billingsley is recovering from Tommy John surgery and Hyun-Jin Ryu has a torn toenail.