Dodgers' Kershaw scheduled for rehab start on Saturday

Clayton Kershaw will make a rehab start on Saturday before returning to top of the starting rotation with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday before a doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field that Kershaw was in favor of the Oklahoma City stint.

Kershaw pitched a three-inning simulated game Monday.

Roberts said the detour to the minors gives Kershaw the "best chance for success and health."

Since going on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis on May 6, Kershaw has pitched just once, a five-inning outing on May 31 in which his back tightened up, sending him right back to the DL. That marked the 30-year-old's fourth career DL stint caused by a back injury, including one in each of the last three seasons.

Roberts said Kershaw's lack of work over the last six weeks made the rehab start necessary before the four-time Cy Young Award winner returns to the rotation. Kershaw told reporters on Monday he wasn't sure if he'll have the stamina to last six or seven innings early on in his return from the DL.

Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.76 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 11 walks in 49 innings pitched this year. His ERA would be his worst mark in a season since 2010, and the velocity on his fastball has been noticeably down this season.

--Field Level Media