Dodgers' Eric Milton has season-ending surgery on his back

Eric Milton's comeback with the Dodgers ended Tuesday.

The club's No. 5 starter is expected to be out at least three months after having surgery for a herniated disk in his back.

Milton had a record of 2-1 and an earned-run average of 3.80 in five starts after signing a minor-league contract with the Dodgers last winter.

He spent the previous two years recovering from elbow surgery and made his first start for the Dodgers against the Florida Marlins on May 16. And he will try to return again. Milton said last week that he had no intention of retiring at the end of the season.

James McDonald, Eric Stults and Jason Schmidt are the top candidates to replace him in the rotation.

-- Dylan Hernandez