Report: Kershaw to miss 4-6 weeks with back injury

The Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly be without their ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who left Sunday's game with back tightness, for four to six weeks based on an initial prognosis, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Kershaw appeared to be in some discomfort following a pitch in the second inning of the Dodgers' matchup with the Atlanta Braves. After getting checked on by training staff, the 29-year-old completed the final out of the frame before being replaced by Ross Stripling in the third.

Following the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters he expected Kershaw to be placed on the disabled list.

Kershaw is still scheduled to see the team's back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins, who will help the Dodgers make a more informed decision about the ace's timetable.

Last season, Kershaw was placed on the disabled list in late June with a back injury that kept him out of action for more two months. The Dodgers went 34-24 in his absence.

A six-week timetable would put Kershaw in line to rejoin the team by mid-September.

In 21 starts this season, Kershaw has posted a 2.04 ERA and 2.94 FIP going 15-2. He has also put up the highest home-run-to-flyball rate (15.7 percent) of his career.

The Dodgers - who sit handily atop the National League West, 10 1/2 games up from second-place - have recently been connected to the potential acquisition of both Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers and Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers.