Dodgers' Brandon McCarthy (right hip stiffness) headed back to DL

LOS ANGELES - A hip injury is expected to land Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy back on the disabled list, the second time the right-hander has gone on the DL this year.

McCarthy has struggled in each of his past three starts, and a sore hip was revealed to be at least part of the reason the Dodgers' starter has given up a combined 15 walks over his past three outings.

McCarthy was removed after 1 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday after walking five batters and hitting another. The Dodgers rallied for an 8-4 victory behind 17 hits from their offense.

The Dodgers officially diagnosed McCarthy with right hip stiffness. The club did not announce a DL move, but McCarthy revealed that it is an inevitability.

"I don't know how much more of that they want to see, so I would guess that's a yes," McCarthy said when asked if he expects to go on the disabled list.

McCarthy was in his eighth start since returning from his original DL stint. He was out since early in the 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

"It's been a long road with the arm and now something else is bothering him," manager Dave Roberts said. "You see the frustration and he feels he's letting the team down. I absolutely feel for him and his teammates feel for him. But the No. 1 thing is we have to get him right and get him back with us."

The Dodgers are expected to activate starter Brett Anderson from the disabled list Sunday so the left-hander can make his 2016 debut. Anderson has been out since spring training after undergoing an arthroscopic back procedure.