With the uncertainty of exactly when Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will return to the rotation – or even begin throwing off of a mound, for that matter – and with right-hander Brandon McCarthy joining him on the disabled list on Sunday with an ailing right hip, all of a sudden right-hander Bud Norris, who himself is currently rehabbing for a mild back strain, becomes a huge factor as the Dodgers head into the stretch run trailing the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants by a mere one game margin.

The 31-year-old Greenbrae, California native made his first rehab start on Saturday evening with the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and was outstanding. Norris threw 5.2 innings allowing only one run on four hits while walking one and striking out five. And while it’s easy to argue that pitching to High-A hitters is nothing like pitching to major league hitters, the simple fact is that a strike is a strike and Norris threw 46 of them out of his 59 total pitches.

Norris was so effective with the Quakes on Saturday evening that he will start for the Dodgers this Thursday in Philadelphia. Norris is seen here wearing his pink ‘Dora the Explorer’ jersey worn by all Quakes players on Saturday. (Photo credit – Steve Saenz)

On Saturday, Dodgers right-hander Brandon McCarthy suffered his third consecutive bad outing, forcing Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to pull him after only 1.2 innings. The 33-year-old Glendale, California native had already allowed three runs on two hits while striking out three but walked five, suggesting that there was something wrong with him physically; this in spite of claims to the contrary. However, shortly after being removed it was reported that McCarthy had strained his right hip two starts ago while pitching in the rain at Coors Field. The injury apparently occurred when McCarthy fielded a bunt.

“Obviously something wasn’t right,” said Roberts, “You see the frustration. He feels like he’s letting the team down. I feel for him and his teammates feel for him. We’ve got to get him right and get him back.”

Although there was no immediate announcement as to McCarthy’s disabled list status, McCarthy himself said that he’s heading there.

“I need some time off. I need my body where I need it,” McCarthy said. “Mentally, physically, everything needs to be back in line. There’s enough going on coming back from the surgery. Adding new layers of stuff isn’t helpful. Whatever that takes to get back, I have to make sure it gets done.”

As expected, the announcement came on Sunday morning when left-hander Brett Anderson was activated from the DL for Sunday’s start. The 28-year-old Midland, Texas native has missed the entire season after undergoing back surgery on March 3 to repair a bulging disk in his lower back. Anderson made three rehab starts – two with Rancho Cucamonga and on with Triple-A Oklahoma City allowing only three earned runs on 12 hits over a combined 12 innings pitched. He struck out 12 while walking only one and appears to be 100 percent healthy.

Also landing on the DL on Sunday was right-hander Josh Ravin after experiencing right forearm tightness. The 28-year-old West Hills, California native pitched only 0.2 innings on Saturday afternoon during which he walked two an struck out one, suggesting that there was a problem. Ravin has been replaced on the Dodgers 25-man roster by right-hander Brock Steward, who will work out of the bullpen as the Dodgers long man.

One thing is for certain, with only 46 games remaining the Dodgers absolutely cannot take their foot off the gas if they hope to make it to the postseason.

Play ball!