LOS ANGELES – Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw has been scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday by the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a sore right hip.

The announcement was made during batting practice before Saturday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Dodgers entered the day trailing St. Louis by a game for the second NL wild-card berth.

Kershaw may have to undergo arthroscopic surgery if the pain persists, which would be another blow to a rotation that lost starters Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly to season-ending injuries.

Kershaw is 12-9 with a 2.70 ERA and NL-leading 206 strikeouts, after going 21-5 with a 2.28 ERA and major league-best 248 strikeouts in 2011.

Rookie right-hander Stephen Fife, a former Portland Sea Dog, will make his fourth start of the season for the Dodgers in the finale of the four-game series.

YANKEES: Speedy outfielder Brett Gardner could be activated from the disabled list soon to give New York a potential pinch runner on the bench.

Gardner has been sidelined since April 18 because of a strained right elbow that required surgery in July. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said the team doesn’t expect Gardner to be able to hit again this season, but his legs and glove could be useful.

WHITE SOX: Adam Dunn returned to the lineup for the first time since straining a muscle on his right side more than a week ago.

BRAVES: Atlanta activated Ben Sheets from the 15-day disabled list, and he will pitch out of the bullpen for the first time in his career.

He was on the disabled list for three weeks because of right shoulder inflammation.

RAYS: Tampa Bay activated infielder Sean Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list.

Rodriguez had been sidelined since Aug. 31 after breaking his right hand when he punched a locker at Triple-A Durham.

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