Dodgers acquire veteran pitcher Bud Norris from Braves

MILWAUKEE (AP) 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 $1 million payable Oct. 15 from Atlanta for minor league pitchers Philip Pfeifer and Caleb Dirks.

To make room for Norris on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated left-hander Ian Thomas for assignment.

Kershaw had been scheduled to start the series opener against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles on Friday. Norris last pitched Sunday and can immediately be inserted into the rotation.

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.

Toscano, 27, hit .226 with 10 RBI in 58 games with the Braves' Double-A Mississippi this year following five seasons in Cuba's Serie Nacional.

Dirks, 23, went 3-2 with six saves and a 1.44 ERA in 28 relief appearances with Double-A Tulsa this season. Pfeifer, 23, had a 3-1 combined record with a 2.67 ERA in 17 relief appearances with Single-A Great Lakes and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this season.