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Kershaw sent to DL after getting injection for ailing back

Justin Berl / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to try and win without their ace.

Three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after receiving an epidural injection to relieve pain in his lower back.

Kershaw allowed four runs off nine hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday and was later sent back to Los Angeles to be examined by a back specialist. The team did not believe it to be anything serious, and the left-hander was initially expected to make his next start.

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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is uncertain if Kershaw will be ready to return to the mound after the 15 days and noted that it will depend on how he responds to treatment.

Losing their ace for any amount of time is a significant loss for the Dodgers, who are 14-2 when Kershaw starts this season and 29-35 when he doesn't.

The 28-year-old is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 0.73 WHIP across 16 starts this season, striking out 145 in 121 innings. He's been remarkably durable throughout his career, as this stint on the DL marks his first trip since 2014.

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