LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day disabled list with mild disc herniation (retroactive to June 27), placed outfielder Joc Pederson on the DL with a sprained right AC joint (retroactive to June 29), activated right-handed pitcher Bud Norris (#28) and selected the contract of outfielder Will Venable from Triple-A Oklahoma City. To make room for Venable on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated right-hander Layne Somsen for assignment.
Norris, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo product, was acquired yesterday from Atlanta and was one of the National League's best pitchers in June, going 2-1 in six games (five starts) and ranking among the league's best in ERA (2.08, 8th), opponents' batting average (.194, 6th) and WHIP (0.96, 9th). Overall, the 31-year-old posted a 3-7 record with a 4.22 ERA in 22 games (10 starts) with the Braves, including a 2.08 ERA (11 ER/47.2 IP) in his last 17 games (five starts) since May 2.
Venable was originally signed by the Dodgers on June 14 and went 1-for-10 with a double in six games with Los Angeles prior to being designated for assignment on June 24 and outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He appeared in just one game with OKC, going 1-for-1.
Kershaw has gone 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 16 starts, leading the Majors in ERA, innings (121.0) and WHIP (0.73) and ranking among the league's best in wins (T-3^rd), strikeouts (145, 2^nd) and opponents' batting average (.185, 4^th). This is Kershaw's second-career stint on the DL (also: April/May 2014 with Teres Major strain) and the injury will not require surgery.
Pederson batted .236 with 13 home runs and 33 RBI in 75 games with the Dodgers and will be making his first-career trip to the DL.