Carl Crawford placed on DL with back tightness, Micah Johnson recalled

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Saturday placed Carl Crawford on the disabled list with lower back tightness. Micah Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his spot on the active roster.

Crawford becomes the 11th Dodgers player currently on the disabled list.

He had a planned day off on Thursday, then was held out of Friday's lineup against a right-hander still feeling something in his back. He played all three games against the Padres, but was removed on defense in left field for Trayce Thompson in each game, playing a total of 17 of 27 defensive innings in San Diego.

"It's by design to keep him off his feet, keep him fresh," manager Dave Roberts said on Wedesday. "I've already talked to [Crawford] in spring training about that. He's on board."

Roberts told reporters on Saturday that Crawford would have an MRI on Monday after the team returns to Los Angeles, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Thompson starts in center field for the Dodgers on Saturday against Madison Bumgarner, with Scott Van Slyke starting a third straight day in left field.

Johnson started in left field on Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, the only time in his professional career he has played a position other than second base.

This is the sixth disabled list stint for Crawford since the start of 2012, who averaged 80 games played per year from 2012-2015.

Crawford was announced as a pinch hitter but was immediately burned on Friday night, which technically counts as having played, meaning the Dodgers can't back date Crawford's DL stint. The earliest he can be activated is April 24.