What It Means:

Kershaw was removed from Sunday's start against the Atlata Braves after just two innings due to tightness in his back. He missed two months last season with a herniated disc injury, but Roberts doesn't feel like this is a similar issue. Either way, the 29-year-old ace southpaw is expected to spend a couple of weeks on the shelf. More information regarding a timeline for Kershaw's return should be known Monday. He worked two scoreless frames while striking out two and walking one before being pulled.

Kershaw owns a 2.04 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 31.4 strikeout percentage (K%) across 141 1/3 innings on the season while going 15-2 through 21 starts. Without accounting for a potential absence, numberFire's models project him to turn in a 3.20 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 25.3 K% in 47 2/3 innings over the remainder of the year.