Dodgers place Clayton Kershaw on the bereavement list

The Dodgers placed ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the bereavement list Monday, though at the moment they expect him to take his next turn on Friday in San Francisco.

That gives the Dodgers an open roster spot should they decide to activate shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who was with the team Monday and took pregame batting and fielding practice with trainers and management watching closely.

Kershaw left the team immediately after pitching the Dodgers to a 2-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday for what was described as a personal matter.

A player can only be placed on baseball’s bereavement list for a death in the immediate family. He must be on the list for a minimum for three days and a maximum of seven.

The Dodgers said out of respect to Kershaw, they would not discuss his family situation because he preferred to address it when he rejoined the team.

If the Dodgers do not activate Ramirez, they will be down two players. The Dodgers said Mark Ellis (strained quad) has continued to show improvement but he’s neither started running nor been placed on the disabled list.

Justin Sellers is scheduled to start at shortstop Monday against the Colorado Rockies, and Manager Don Mattingly said regardless of how Ramirez performed pregame, he did not anticipate changing his lineup.

Ramirez (right thumb surgery) spent the last two days on a rehab assignment for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga and said he felt ready to return.

“I just want to be in there,” Ramirez said. “I don’t want to wait anymore.”