Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, whom club officials had hoped would be ready to come off the 15-day disabled list as soon as he becomes eligible next Wednesday, will instead need additional time to recover from a mild strain of his left oblique. Kuroda presently isn't allowed to participate in any baseball activity, including playing catch, and Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said the pitcher almost certainly will need to make at least one start in a minor-league game before being activated
Tough break for their Opening Day starter. Kershaw and Billingsley have looked fantastic but they will need Kuroda to build any type of early lead.