"Hiroki Kuroda's goal was to make it through the season without landing on the disabled list.

He couldn't make it through a week.

The Dodgers' opening-day starter was scratched from his scheduled start today in Arizona and put on the 15-day disabled list, but not because of the shoulder that bothered him most of last season. The culprit is a left oblique that he mildly strained in a bullpen session three days ago.

Left-hander Eric Stults, who posted a 9.49 earned-run average in spring training, will be recalled from triple-A Albuquerque to start today in place of Kuroda.

"I realize I've burdened the team by getting so hurt so soon after opening day," said Kuroda, who won his first start of the season in San Diego.

The move, which is retroactive to Tuesday, was described as precautionary by Manager Joe Torre and trainer Stan Conte.

Kuroda underwent an MRI exam in Los Angeles on Friday that showed no structural damage or inflammation. "I think I could have pitched," he said.

Torre said he had to have two conversations with Kuroda to convince him that he should go on the disabled list and not pitch today.

A more severe strain could have sidelined Kuroda for six to eight weeks, according to Conte. Kuroda says he expects to be ready to pitch by April 22, the first day he'll be eligible to be activated.

"That's my intention," Kuroda said.

Kuroda was supposed to start today opposite former Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb, who is also hurt. Stults will go against Yusmeiro Petit, who was 3-5 with a 4.31 earned-run average last season."