Kershaw could get an extended break

Clayton Kershaw will start on Sunday in the Dodgers’ first-half finale. After the All-Star break, though, he may not pitch until July 18 in Chicago against the White Sox. Manager Dave Roberts said the team has not assembled its rotation for the first series after the break against the Marlins, but he did reveal that Kershaw may not be part of it.

Kershaw could receive nine days of rest as the team tries to keep him fresh for the second half.

“We’re not solidified yet,

Brandon McCarthy will probably start the secondhalf opener on July 14. Both Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu could also pitch that weekend. Ryu is currently nursing a sore foot and is on the 10-day disabled list.

Kershaw has already thrown 1231⁄3 innings this season, after a back injury limited him to 149 in 2016. He has not missed a start and has not skipped a beat. After giving up a career-high 17 home runs already this season, he has recovered in his last three outings to not surrender a homer.

Named to the All-Star team for the seventh season in a row, Kershaw is not eligible to pitch on Tuesday because he is starting Sunday. Alex Wood became his replacement on the roster.

Short hops

Yasmani Grandal was removed from Saturday’s game in the seventh inning after getting hit in the left hand by a pitch earlier in the game. An X-ray on his hand came back negative, Roberts said. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate on Sunday . ... Reliever Chris Hatcher (thoracic inflammation) received a cortisone shot this week. The team hopes he can begin a rehabilitation assignment at some point in the second half. … Brock Stewart is not a candidate to join the rotation despite pitching well, Roberts said. Roberts said the team prefers Stewart as a reliever, with Maeda and Ryu rotating through the last spot in the rotation. … The team optioned infielder/outfielder Scott Van Slyke to the minors to make room for McCarthy’s return from the disabled list on Saturday.