Clayton Kershaw return uncertain, still bothered by back discomfort

Clayton Kershaw will not return to the Dodgers anytime soon, still feeling discomfort in his back, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Tuesday before the series opener against the Nationals. Per the reporters on site:

Clayton Kershaw "didn't feel great" after sim game, Roberts said. His return "uncertain"

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 19, 2016

Clayton Kershaw basically shut down until his back pain goes away. #Dodgers

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 19, 2016

Roberts said Clayton Kershaw hasn't picked up a baseball since Sat, won't until back pain subsides. Will get another exam in next day or 2

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 19, 2016

Kershaw threw a four-inning, 60-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, and the only question was how he would feel afterward.

The Dodgers' ace was placed on the disabled list on July 1 with a mild disc herniation in his back, and last pitched on June 26, in Pittsburgh. So far during his absence, Dodgers starting pitchers have averaged 5.08 innings per start, with a 4.80 ERA, though the Dodgers are 11-6 during that span.

This is the latest blow in the starting rotation that saw Hyun-Jin Ryu get placed on the disabled list earlier Tuesday with elbow tendonitis, shut down with left elbow discomfort after only one start back with the Dodgers.