MILWAUKEE — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is returning to Los Angeles this week for tests on his sore back.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that he was still hopeful Kershaw could make his next scheduled start Friday night at Dodger Stadium against Colorado.

Kershaw is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA this season. He lost his last start on Sunday in Pittsburgh, giving up four runs in six innings.

NATIONALS: The Nationals say the MRI Stephen Strasburg underwent Monday morning has confirmed their diagnosis that the pitcher has an upper-back strain.

Strasburg threw a bullpen session Tuesday afternoon before Washington was set to play the New York Mets. Strasburg was placed on the disabled list Sunday retroactive to June 16.

TIGERS: Anibal Sanchez is heading back to the bullpen. Manager Brad Ausmus says the Tigers will use Sanchez in relief after he returned to the rotation for one start. The right-hander allowed four runs in five innings in a loss to Cleveland on Saturday.

CARDINALS: St. Louis activated catcher Brayan Pena from the disabled list and designated Eric Fryer for assignment.

Pena has been out all season after having surgery on his left knee. The veteran signed a $5 million, two-year deal to back up Yadier Molina.

METS: Pitcher Steven Matz has a bone spur in his left elbow and will have his next start pushed back from Wednesday to Thursday.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson says the 25-year-old lefty will continue pitching through the bone spur because doctors have assured the team he cannot do damage to it.

Braves: The Braves placed rookie right-hander John Gant on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained side.

Gant left Monday night’s 8-3 loss to Cleveland in the third inning with the left oblique injury.

TWINS: Right-hander Phil Hughes will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on July 16.