Dodgers activate Clayton Kershaw; Ted Lilly goes on DL

Ted Lilly’s season is not exactly going to his plan.

His return from shoulder surgery was delayed while he built up arm strength (corrected). Now after finally making two starts, he’s going back on the disabled list because of a sore back.

The Dodgers activated left-hander Clayton Kershaw from the bereavement list Friday to start against the Giants, but to make room for him on the 25-man roster they did not place Mark Ellis on the DL as expected but Lilly.

Rookie Matt Magill will now start Saturday in Lilly’s spot against the Giants. He made his major league debut last Saturday, throwing 6 2/3 strong innings against the Brewers.

Kershaw had been on the bereavement list since Monday after the death of his father in Texas.

Lilly pitched very well in his season debut, but in his second start Monday he struggled, lasting only three innings. Afterward Lilly said his back had been sore since his last start but thought it would go away. The Dodgers were not thrilled he failed to mention the back problem.

Lilly had an MRI on the back Tuesday and an injection in the lower right rib cage.

Ellis has been out since straining his quad running to first a week ago. He took batting practice Friday and ran the field. He now has missed six consecutive games.

The Dodgers are also playing without outfielder Carl Crawford, who has missed three games. Crawford said Friday he also had an MRI, which showed a minor hamstring strain, and he was hoping to avoid the DL.