Kershaw (back) heads back to IL

Clayton Kershaw is headed back to the injured list.

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed their ace there on Friday with lower back pain.

The Dodgers activated IF/OF Chris Taylor from the injured list, recalled RHP Reyes Moronta, optioned OF James Outman and placed LHP Clayton Kershaw on the injured list with low back pain.

Kershaw, 34, was forced to leave his Thursday start against the San Francisco Giants early, exiting after seizing up while throwing warmup pitches ahead of the fifth inning.

“Just felt something kind of lock up there in the fifth and couldn’t really throw after that,” Kershaw said. “Something in my back again. ... I saw a doctor, but really nothing to do until -- just see how I wake up in the morning, is probably the first thing, and then go from there."

The National League's starting pitcher in last month's All-Star Game, Kershaw is in his 15th season. In 15 appearances this year, Kershaw is 7-3 with a 2.64 earned run average and 0.984 WHIP over 85.1 innings pitched.

It's Kershaw's second trip to the IL this season, having previously been placed there in May with pelvic joint inflammation.

Right-handed pitcher Reyes Moronta has been recalled from the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers in a corresponding move.

In other Dodgers moves, utilityman Chris Taylor has been activated from the IL and outfielder James Outman has been optioned to OKC.