LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw could return to the starting rotation as early as next Friday night in St. Louis, based on a loose timetable manager Dave Roberts provided on Thursday.
After Kershaw played catch at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Roberts said Kershaw will probably throw a simulated game in Los Angeles on Sunday and that a Minor League rehab start is "unlikely." Five days after the simulated game would put Kershaw on track to pitch the series opener against the Cardinals, after the club makes three-game stops in Arizona and Washington.
"We're really encouraged," said Roberts.