Clayton Kershaw to miss U.S. opener

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw will miss his scheduled start for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres on Sunday because of an inflamed muscle in his back.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner had an MRI on Wednesday that showed the swollen muscle in his left upper back.

Kershaw had complained of tightness while throwing at a workout Tuesday.

The team said Kershaw's next start will be decided by his progress while throwing in the next week.

The Dodgers open the North American portion of their schedule at San Diego on Sunday.

They began the season with two victories over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia last week. Kershaw started the first game Down Under, winning 3-1. He allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, signed a seven-year, $215 million contract in January.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.