Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez scratched from lineup again

SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers scratched first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from their lineup for the third consecutive game Sunday.

Gonzalez said the injury is a strained trapezius muscle, which connects the neck and upper back. The Dodgers have alternately described the injury as neck soreness and neck stiffness.

Juan Uribe made his first start of the season at first base. Jerry Hairston Jr., who started for Gonzalez on Friday and Saturday, suffered what the club called a minor groin injury in Saturday’s game.

Gonzalez, who suffered his injury in a collision with an umpire Wednesday, had started the Dodgers’ first 27 games. He took part in pregame workouts Saturday and Sunday, then was scratched from the lineup both days.

He said the discomfort is most evident when he moves to field ground balls.

“I’m good to pinch-hit,” he said.

Gonzalez is batting .330 with three home runs and a team-high 20 runs batted in.

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring, and second baseman Mark Ellis could join him there Monday because of a strained calf. The Dodgers’ starting infield in Sunday’s nationally-televised game: Uribe at first, Nick Punto at second, Dee Gordon at shortstop and Luis Cruz at third.

The Dodgers’ third basemen entered play batting .163 with one extra-base hit and a .465 OPS. The Dodgers’ pitchers entered play batting .170 with three extra-base hits and a .497 OPS.