WATERLOO — Clayton Kershaw won’t start for the Dodgers against the Padres on Monday, according to manager Dave Roberts, following Sunday’s 7-3 victory over the Nationals at Nationals Park.

Instead, Kershaw will start on Friday in Seattle after being delayed by four days. On Monday, Kershaw’s replacement, No. 5 prospect Gavin Stone, will start in Kershaw’s place.

To make room for Stone on the active roster, Ryan Yarbrough, who received the ball on Sunday, will go for paternity leave on Monday. By Friday, Yarbrough ought to be back with the group.

Roberts claims that Kershaw, whose velocity has significantly decreased over his last two starts, is still recovering from a left shoulder ailment that kept him out for more than a month earlier this season.

The Dodgers manager, however, emphasized that there was no injury involved in the decision to send the veteran back. Instead, Roberts asserted that there is “no downside” to the action and said that it was done in order to position Kershaw for future starts.

He’ll simply try to keep his focus, Roberts added. And when I told him about what we were kind of predicting, he agreed.

Kershaw will now start on Friday rather than Monday, giving him nine days off between starts. Additionally, he would likely only have three starts left in the regular season, against the Mariners, Giants, and Rockies.

If fit, Kershaw will once more be expected to play a significant role in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, which has struggled with injuries for the majority of the season and is currently without Julio Uras since he is out on paid administrative leave due to allegations of domestic violence.

The National League Division Series’ first game would be held at Dodger Stadium on October 7 if the Dodgers manage to win the National League West (their magic number is down to 7). Game 2 was scheduled for October 9.