Dodgers place pitcher Kershaw on disabled list

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his seven-year career because of a swollen muscle in his left upper back.

The move, made prior to Sunday's game at San Diego, is retroactive to March 23, the day after the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner started and won the Dodgers' opener against Arizona in Australia. He is eligible to be activated on April 8, the day Los Angeles starts a series at home against Detroit.

The Dodgers also optioned right-hander pitcher Jose Dominguez to Triple-A Albuquerque.

L.A. sets payroll record

The Los Angeles Dodgers set a record with an opening-day payroll of $234 million Sunday, according to a study of big league contracts by The Associated Press.

The New York Yankees were a distant second at $199 million, ending their streak of six straight openers above the $200 million mark. The Yankees had topped the opening-day salary list for 15 straight years and had set the previous mark of $230 million last season.

The Dodgers spent more than five times the total of the Houston Astros, who at $45 million were last for the second straight year but vastly above their $27 million outlay on opening day last season. Miami, at $47 million, repeated in 29th place

Marlins' Furcal on DL

Infielder Rafael Furcal was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Miami Marlins retroactive to March 21 because of a strained left hamstring. Infielder Ed Lucas also went on the DL because of a broken left hand.