Brett Anderson accepts; Zack Greinke, Howie Kendrick decline qualifying offers

And Brett Anderson makes three.

All left-handed, too. If Hyun-Jin Ryu is able to come back next spring from shoulder surgery, the Dodgers could be looking at four left-handed starters in their rotation.

For now, though, they have three, with Anderson accepting Friday the $15.8-million qualifying offer the Dodgers presented. As expected, right-hander Zack Greinke and second baseman Howie Kendrick rejected their qualifying offers.

Until this season, of course, that’s what every player did. But Anderson’s decision means at least three of the 20 major league players given the $15.8-million qualifying offer have accepted.

The Dodgers now have three starting pitchers — Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood and Anderson — and two open spots in their rotation.

Most expect the Dodgers to land one of the two major free-agent starting pitchers — David Price or Greinke. But it should be noted, Price also is left-handed.

Despite Greinke and Kendrick’s electing to become free agents, the Dodgers are still free to negotiate with both. Greinke, 32, opted out of his contract and walked away from $71 million to become a free agent. He’s expected to look for at least a five-year deal, while Kendrick could be looking for four years.

Anderson made $12.4 million last season, signing a one-year deal. With his tremendous history of injury, he could put himself in better position to land a multiyear contract if he can put together back-to-back healthy seasons. He does not turn 28 until February.

Anderson was scheduled to be the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter last season, but injuries to Brandon McCarthy and Ryu pushed him up in the rotation. He started a career-high 31 games for the Dodgers, going 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

With Wood and Anderson back-of-the-rotation starters, the Dodgers are going to have to upgrade their 2016 unit with the next two starters they add, either from free agency or a trade.