Roberts not expecting Kershaw back until September

Clayton Kershaw will return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season - but not for a little while longer.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that the veteran left-hander, who is on the 10-day injured list with left forearm inflammation, isn't expected to come back until "sometime in September," according to the Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin.

Kershaw last pitched on July 3 when he allowed three earned runs in four innings during a start against the Washington Nationals. Los Angeles placed him on the IL shortly afterward.

The 33-year-old's absence continues to leave a massive void in a Dodgers rotation that's been hit hard by injuries this year. L.A. currently only has three full-time starters remaining - Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias.

Kershaw was enjoying a fine campaign before the injury, sporting a 3.39 ERA, 2.99 FIP, and 0.98 WHIP with 127 strikeouts and 19 walks across 18 starts.