Dodgers place struggling reliever Chris Hatcher on disabled list with oblique strain

Lost amid the panic about Clayton Kershaw and the elbow surgery of Alex Wood, the Dodgers placed struggling reliever Chris Hatcher on the disabled list on Wednesday afternoon because of a strained left oblique.

Hatcher reported his soreness to the training staff after he left the game on Tuesday, Manager Dave Roberts said. Hatcher was charged with three runs against the Washington Nationals. His earned-run average rose to 5.53.

“When he was on the mound, he was kind of wincing a little bit, and we were kind of concerned,” Roberts said. “And when he came off the mound, he said he felt something in his side.”

Taking his place on the roster was infielder Charlie Culberson. Culberson started at shortstop on Wednesday as Corey Seager recovered from a stomach virus.

Hatcher has been one of the most disappointing players on the roster in 2016. The team intended to use him as the primary setup man for closer Kenley Jansen. Hatcher bumbled through April, earning three losses and an 8.18 ERA.

Hatcher lost Roberts’ trust. He moved into the middle of the bullpen, and then into an even less prominent role. Roberts rarely used him in high-leverage situations. Now he’ll sit out for at least two weeks.