The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased the contract of prospect Clayton Kershaw from Double-A Jacksonville yesterday, and the 20-year-old left-hander is expected to make his big league debut today in the finale of a three-game series against St. Louis.

"I was beside myself a little bit. Anytime you get to hear those words: 'You're headed up to L.A.,' it's unbelievable," Kershaw said yesterday in the dugout before batting practice. "It's what you've dreamed about since you were a little kid. It's what you worked so hard for in the minor leagues.

"It's awesome to get the first start here. There's no better place to make your major league debut than Dodger Stadium. I'm just ready to go for tomorrow. I'm ready to get started."

Kershaw, the seventh overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Highland Park High School in Dallas, had an opportunity to pitch on the mound at Chavez Ravine in the Dodgers' final exhibition game against the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. He pitched four scoreless innings of relief and struck out six.

"It's really easy to get acclimated here because I got to know most of the guys all through spring training, so I'm pretty comfortable around all these guys — which is really great for me," Kershaw said. "I'm not too nervous. I know what it's going to be like. It's going to be a different atmosphere, so I'm prepared for that."

Manager Joe Torre, who saw Kershaw pitch a handful of times during the spring despite the team's trip to China, said Kershaw won't go into today's game with a designated pitch count because he already has thrown 97 in a game in the minors.

Kershaw allowed one run in 14 innings during spring training while striking out 19. In Jacksonville, he was 0-3 with a 2.28 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings.

ROCKIES

BARMES, HAWPE ON DL

Colorado placed shortstop Clint Barmes and right fielder Brad Hawpe on the 15-day disabled list yesterday and recalled outfielder Seth Smith and infielder Ian Stewart from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Barmes sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee when New York's Jose Reyes slid into him at second base during the 10th inning of the Rockies' 6-5, 13-inning win Friday night.

Barmes leads the Rockies with a .343 average. Since taking over for Troy Tulowitzki, who is out until the All-Star break with a torn left quadriceps, Barmes has hit .400 with three homers and 10 RBIs. He has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games.

Hawpe, whose move to the DL is retroactive to Wednesday, has been bothered by a sore right hamstring for three days. He hasn't played since Tuesday, and the Rockies had hoped he would feel better by this weekend.

ASTROS

VALVERDE 'A LITTLE SORE'

Houston closer Jose Valverde said his face was "a little sore" yesterday, but that he was otherwise OK after getting struck in the face with a line drive a night earlier in a 4-3 win over Philadelphia.

"Everything is good," Valverde said.

The line drive by Pedro Feliz grazed Valverde's glove before smacking into his right cheek and ricocheting into left field. Valverde lay motionless for a few minutes, then hopped up and finished the game, earning his 15th save.

He had a headache and mild dizziness afterward and met with a team doctor. Valverde woke up yesterday morning ready to pitch again, but Astros manager Cecil Cooper didn't use him in a save situation against the Phillies.

INDIANS

CARMONA PLACED ON DL

Fausto Carmona was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday by Cleveland because of a strained left hip.

"We're not sure how long he'll be out," manager Eric Wedge said. "We're waiting to get MRI results and are hopeful it is not too serious."

Carmona was injured as he ran to cover first base in the third inning of Cleveland's 13-9 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday night. He threw one pitch to the next batter, then left the game. The right-hander allowed six runs over two innings, hiking his ERA from 2.25 to 3.10.