Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw could sit out all of April

SAN DIEGO -- Clayton Kershaw won’t be pitching any time soon.

Over the next two to three weeks, Kershaw will be on what the Dodgers described Tuesday as a “submaximal” throwing program. He will then be re-evaluated by team physician Neal ElAttrache to determine when he can begin throwing at increased velocity.

The Dodgers still haven’t set a timetable for Kershaw’s return, but based on the information they provided, he seems unlikely to pitch this month.

Kershaw, who signed a seven-year, $215-million contract in the off-season, last threw Saturday in Anaheim.

Kershaw pitched the Dodgers’ first game of the season, limiting the Arizona Diamondbacks to one run over 6-2/3 innings in Australia.

Between the regular season and playoffs, Kershaw pitched a career-high 259 innings last year.