Clayton Kershaw injury update: Dodgers ace on target for minor-league rehab

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw continues to make progress toward his return to the rotation.

The left-hander — out since July 23 with a lower back strain — threw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulation Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Barring any setbacks, he then likely would begin a minor-league rehab assignment by the end of next week.

That keeps the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner on the team's desired timeline of getting back in time for multiple starts before the postseason to knock off any rust. L.A. (85-34) has the luxury of an 18 1/2-game lead in the NL West, so there's no sense of urgency.

Kershaw, 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 21 starts this season, has ramped up his rehab since declaring himself recovered last week in Phoenix.

"He's close," manager Dave Roberts told reporters at that point. "I think it just makes sense for us to be cautious. We just don't want to put ourselves in any situation where there's a setback. The calendar's on our side. I know that Clayton resists that. But I think as an organization it's best for him and best for all of us to err on the side of caution."

That bit of good news comes as the Dodgers said they were playing it safe by removing recently acquired Yu Darvish from his home debut Wednesday because of tightness in his back.