Dodgers place Buehler on IL, activate Kelly

The Dodgers placed starting pitcher Walker Buehler on the 10-day injured list for a second time with a right index finger blister on Thursday. They also activated reliever Joe Kelly from the injured list, and he will begin to serve his five-game suspension for throwing at Astros batters.

Buehler came off the injured list to start Tuesday night against the D-backs and flashed triple-digit heat, but shied away from throwing breaking balls, made it through only 2 2/3 innings and was charged with five runs, two earned.

Buehler, a preseason pick by some for a Cy Young Award, reported to Summer Camp behind the other starters because of the uncertainty of the opening of the regular season, he said, and he’s been behind ever since.

He is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.010 WHIP, but three of his seven starts have been shorter than five innings. His rates for home runs and walks allowed are up over last year, and strikeouts are down.

Kelly has been out since Aug. 9 with shoulder inflammation and showed his readiness this week with an impressive throwing session. Before rejoining the Dodgers bullpen, however, he must serve a suspension reduced on appeal from eight games to five for throwing at two Astros batters on July 28.

The Dodgers will be one man shorthanded during the five-game suspension.