MIAMI — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been lifted after three innings and 66 pitches in his return from a back injury.

The left-hander had not started since June 26 because of a mild disk herniation. He allowed two runs and five hits Friday night against the Miami Marlins.

Kershaw struck out five and threw 46 strikes. He did not walk a batter and has issued only nine free passes all season.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP appeared healthy in his first game back. The NL West-leading Dodgers planned all along to limit his pitch count in his return.

Kershaw gave up a home run to J.T. Realmuto in the first and an RBI single to Chris Johnson in the second. Kershaw left with the Dodgers trailing 2-0, and his ERA crept up from 1.79 to 1.89.