Clayton Kershaw is expected to miss four to six weeks based on an initial diagnosis of his injured back, a source has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will officially determine how long Kershaw will be sidelined after he visits with the team's back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins.

"If you look at the calendar, and you are talking about a strain -- him making an impact on our club this year is a very safe bet," Dave Roberts said.

Kershaw left Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves after just two innings and was diagnosed with what the Dodgers referred to as tightness on the right side of his lower back.