Five weeks after he last started a major league game, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw still is not participating in baseball activities.

Kershaw said Tuesday that he intends to pitch again this season as he tries to recover from a herniated disk in his lower back, but no timetable for his return has been set.

"He's just doing core work, the back, strengthening," manager Dave Roberts said. "He hasn't picked up a baseball yet. Hopefully sooner than later, but no baseball activities."

The Los Angeles Dodgers have an elite closer in Kenley Jansen, but that doesn't mean they aren't looking to fortify their bullpen.

Wade Davis "interests" the Dodgers, according to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball.

Davis, 30, who has also been linked to the Washington Nationals, has been a staple in late innings for the Kansas City Royals in recent seasons.

He also carries a $10 million option for 2017, which would provide L.A. with insurance should Jansen leave in free agency.

Clayton Kershaw is determined to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers this season and be a difference maker.

"I'm trying to make it back to have an impact on this season for our team," Kershaw said. "I don't know what that means exactly."

Kershaw hasn't pitched since June 26 because of what was first diagnosed as a mild disk irritation in his lower back, but that was before a setback during a simulated game that has left his return date unknown.

The left-hander had a 1.79 ERA over his first 16 starts and had 145 strikeouts in 121 innings.

Kershaw's setback occurred after he threw in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on July 16.

"I just knew there was something that was not right," he said. "I definitely felt it where I shouldn't have felt it."

Yasiel Puig has been informed that his custom spikes are no longer allowed by Major League Baseball.

Puig received a letter from MLB stating that he will be subject to a fine if he wears customized Nike shoes on the field again. The fine could be as much as $5,000.

The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder first wore shoes with an American flag theme on the Fourth of July and later wore shoes, designed by a local artist, with a Cuban flag theme.

If the Chicago White Sox decide to trade Chris Sale, the Los Angeles Dodgers would be willing to include top prospect Julio Urias in a trade package, according to a report.

The Dodgers are in the market for a front-line starter with Clayton Kershaw sidelined with a back injury.

L.A. has also been linked to Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Urias has made nine starts for the Dodgers this season, going 1-2 with a 4.69 ERA while striking out 48 batters in 40 1/3 innings.

Sale, 27, is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season and under team control through 2019.

Two players who began their careers at opposite ends of the spectrum nearly three decades ago ended up in the same place on Sunday -- with their names etched on plaques at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

For Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza, the culmination of their long journeys was tinged with tears all around.

The two became a piece of history on their special day. Griffey, the first pick of the 1987 amateur draft, became the highest pick ever inducted. Piazza, a 62nd-round pick the next year -No. 1,390 -- is the lowest pick to enter the Hall of Fame.

The Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers have all shown interest in trading for Jay Bruce, according to a report.

"We assume Bruce will be traded," a Cincinnati Reds person said.

Bruce, 29, is hitting .263/.314/.530 this season and will be a free agent after the 2017 season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Thursday, handing Stephen Strasburg his first loss of the season.

Justin Turner homered twice and drove in five runs.

Strasburg dropped to 13-1 on the season. It was Strasburg's first loss since Sept. 9, 2015.

"The guys had a great game plan," Dave Roberts said. "I thought that they stressed Stras early, and we hit a couple balls out of the ballpark."

Strasburg allowed a season-high six earned runs on seven hits but also struck out 10 and allowed just one base runner in his final three innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the possibility that Clayton Kershaw could need surgery on his ailing back, although the club is hopeful it will not be needed and the ace will return to pitch this season.

Roberts was asked before Wednesday night's oss at Washington if there is more of a chance for surgery since the initial setback.

"To answer your question, yes," Roberts said. "I think that with the way it flared up, it's more of an indication that surgery is more of a possibility obviously with the way his back responded, but we're still hopeful that he will be back. When you're talking about the back, that is always an option, but we're certainly hopeful that Clayton will be back, absolutely."

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays have been involved in trade discussions, according to sources.

It is not clear if Evan Longoria is involved in the talks. It seems more likely that utility man Logan Forsythe is L.A.'s target.