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SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers on Friday made a series of moves on the first day that active roster limits expanded, before their three-game series against the Padres beginning on Friday night at Petco Park in San Diego.
The big move on Friday is the activation of Clayton Kershaw from the disabled list, after he missed six weeks with a lower back strain. Kershaw will start the series opener, and is expected to pitch approximately five innings or 75 pitches in his first major league start since July 23.
The Dodgers also called up outfielder Alex Verdugo, the club’s top position player prospect. Manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network Radio earlier Friday that Verdugo would start the opener against the Padres.
Verdugo face Padres starter Dinelson Lamet in Triple-A this season, but did battle against him in Double-A in 2016, going 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts in two games.
Andre Ethier, who has been on the disabled list all season, also joins the Dodgers, after playing 10 minor league games on a rehab assignment. Joining him is corner man Rob Segedin, recalled from Oklahoma City.
O`Koyea Dickson also got the call. The Dodgers’ 12th-round pick in 2011, hit .246/.328/.484 with 24 home runs with Oklahoma City this season. In three years in Triple-A the right-hander hit .275/.341/.499 with 55 home runs and 77 doubles in 334 games. Dickson has played mostly outfield this season, with 57 starts in left field, 22 starts in right, and five starts at first base.
Dickson will wear No. 67 with the Dodgers, and Verdugo will wear No. 61.
Verdugo and Dickson were added to the 40-man roster, and roster room was needed to activate Ethier from the 60-day disabled list.
Grant Dayton was transferred to the 60-day disabled list, three days after he had Tommy John surgery. Brett Eibner, who also had Tommy John surgery after an experiment to try pitching, was designated for assignment, as was pitcher Luis Ysla.