Dodgers announce that Clayton Kershaw will miss well beyond minimum 15 days with back injury.

Clayton KershawClayton Kershaw‘s stay on the disabled list will last well beyond the minimum 15 days.

The Dodgers announced that Kershaw, who is nursing inflammation in the teres major muscle of his back, consulted with team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache following an MRI scan. Kershaw will be placed on a rehabilitation schedule that includes a submaximal throwing program for the next 2 to 3 weeks. He will then be re-evaluated by Dr. ElAttrache to determine when he can start throwing at increased velocity.

The timetable on when he might return to Major League competition will be determined when he is re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks.

Earlier Tuesday, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters in San Diego that Kershaw might need a rehabilitation start in the minor leagues before he can return. Now, that seems like a certainty. The minor league seasons begin Thursday, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Kershaw to pitch in a rehab game.

Kershaw has never been on the disabled list in his career. Hyun-Jin Ryu, who took Kershaw’s turn in the rotation Sunday in San Diego, is expected to start the Dodgers’ home opener Friday.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.