Roberts: Kershaw to be examined by back specialist

After reports surfaced Monday that Clayton Kershaw was receiving treatment for on-again, off-again back discomfort, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the 28-year-old left-hander is being flown to Los Angeles to be examined by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins.

Roberts is hopeful Kershaw will be able to make his next start, but his back condition hasn't improved.

"He's not any better," Roberts told reporters. "We decided to fly him back to Los Angeles. He's not pitching anyway in Milwaukee. We'll give him a day or so to get ready after the flight.

"We are still hopeful for Friday. We want to get him in the doctors' hands and get some answers. We'll know more once we get some testing. It's his back barking. It's not his hip. We want to be prudent. The training staff felt like this was the best thing for Clayton."

Kershaw's back problems are not related to a hip injury he's dealt with in the past.

During Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kershaw gave up nine hits and four runs before receiving treatment.

"There was some back stiffness he's been dealing with last few weeks," Roberts said Monday. "I don't think it affected him last night, but he came up a little sore."

The electric Dodgers ace owns an 11-2 record and a 1.79 ERA in 16 starts, surrendering just nine walks while striking out 145 hitters across 121 innings.