Dodgers scratch Clayton Kershaw from key start against Giants

Bad news, now downright scary news, seems to be coming at the Dodgers in waves.

In what would have been his biggest outing of the season, Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled start against the Giants on Sunday afternoon with a sore hip.

Kershaw referred reporters to Manager Don Mattingly, who is scheduled to meet with reporters later in the afternoon. The Dodgers just sent a message on Twitter through dodgers.com that Kershaw received a cortisone injection for a sore hip and he could be ready to start Tuesday.

Joe Blanton is now scheduled to start Sunday in the 5 p.m. game against the Giants.

Kershaw, who has been pitching with plantar fasciitis since early June, was seen in the outfield by The Times’ Dylan Hernandez running and throwing earlier Sunday.

The Dodgers already are without starting pitcher Chad Billingsley and closer Kenley Jansen, and are now without their best pitcher, Kershaw, and best position player, center fielder Matt Kemp. Only in a game that could turn their season. The Dodgers currently trail the Giants in the National League West by 4 1/2 games.

Blanton last pitched Monday, giving up three runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Padres. He is 1-3 with a 6.17 earned-run average in six starts with the Dodgers. He had originally been skipped this weekend so Kershaw could start against the Giants.

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