LOS ANGELES >> At least Clayton Kershaw avoided the 60-day injured list. For now.

The Dodgers placed Kershaw on the 10-day IL on Friday, one day after the left-hander was removed from his start in San Francisco with a back injury. The Dodgers were still awaiting the results of an MRI exam before announcing a formal diagnosis and a timetable for Kershaw to return.

“He was a little bit sore today,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres. “Obviously given the soreness, where we’re at, we decided to IL him.”

Roberts said this injury differs from the right SI joint inflammation that sidelined Kershaw from May 13 to June 11 in one important regard: this injury is affecting Kershaw’s left side.

Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A, giving the Dodgers an extra bullpen arm for the three-game series. The right-hander has allowed nine earned runs in 15 appearances out of the bullpen this season (a 4.96 ERA) — seven of which scored in his last seven games.

Of note: Moronta has been optioned to Triple-A four times since the season began. Starting this year, teams can only option a player to the minor leagues up to five times in one season.

The Dodgers will bring up a starting pitcher from the minor leagues to take Kershaw’s next start, which would have been next Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. The only candidate Roberts mentioned by name was right-hander Ryan Pepiot.

Dustin May is on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He’s expected to throw five innings next Tuesday, then possibly make one more start before he is activated from the injured list.

May has not pitched for the Dodgers since last year because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The right-hander has allowed only two runs (both earned) across his first three rehab games at Triple-A. May has also walked four batters and struck out 15, a sign that his command is approaching its pre-surgery excellence.

Pepiot’s stay in the rotation might be a short one, then, regardless of the severity of Kershaw’s injury.

Kershaw, of course, would like to return as soon as possible. He was not available to reporters prior to Friday’s game, but Roberts suggested this latest IL stint could amount to “a breather” for Kershaw going into the postseason.

Kershaw is 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA in this, his 15th major league season. In July, he made the first All-Star Game start of his career for the National League at Dodger Stadium and did not allow a run.

“He’s certainly frustrated but there’s nothing we can do about it,” Roberts said of Kershaw. “His only focus is to do what we can to get him back as soon as possible, and healthy.”

Taylor returns

Chris Taylor started at second base in his first game since July 4, when he was sidelined by a fractured bone in his foot. Hot-hitting outfielder James Outman was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

It was tough timing for Outman, who went 6 for 13 (.462) in his first four games, hitting one home run and two doubles during the streak.

Taylor was hitting .238 at the time of the injury. In his second at-bat Friday against the Padres, Taylor hit a two-run double, stole third base, and scored a run.

Also

Right-handed relievers Blake Treinen (shoulder) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) are going to throw a live simulated game to hitters Saturday at Dodger Stadium. There is no timetable for either pitcher to return. … The Kansas City Royals announced that they and the Dodgers will wear throwback uniforms when the teams play at Kauffman Stadium on Aug. 13. The Dodgers will wear uniforms from their 1955 season, while the Royals will don 1945 KC Monarchs jerseys. … According to TickPick, a secondary ticket retailer, Friday’s game was the most expensive Dodgers ticket this season with a “get-in” price of $201.