The last time Clayton Kershaw began a season in the minor leagues he was a 20-year-old prospect in double-A weeks away from his major league debut. Eleven years later, Kershaw was back in the minors Thursday, making a rehab start for triple-A Oklahoma City on the affiliate’s opening day as he works to join the Dodgers after a bout with shoulder inflammation.
The left-hander’s first two innings against the San Antonio Missions — the Milwaukee Brewers’ top farm club — were turbulent, but he settled in until he was removed after securing an out in the fifth inning on his 61st pitch.