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Kershaw ahead of schedule in rehab from back injury

Justin Berl / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The injury-ridden Los Angeles Dodgers received some good news Wednesday, when manager Dave Roberts announced ailing ace Clayton Kershaw was cleared to play catch ahead of schedule in his recovery from a mild herniated disk in his back.

Though Roberts said the club is "pleasantly surprised" with Kershaw's progress, the left-hander remains without a timetable for a return to the Dodgers' rotation.

Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week after receiving an epidural injection to relieve pain in his lower back. The three-time Cy Young winner said Saturday that he didn't feel pain when he pitched, but conceded his back had been a source of discomfort for quite some time.

''We're resistant to put a timeline on it, and we haven't gotten one from Dr. Watkins,'' Roberts said Sunday, despite acknowledging that Kershaw has shown daily progress from the treatment. ''I know how Clayton is. He wants to take it day to day, and get back as soon as he can, and that's what we expect from Clayton.''

Meanwhile, Dodgers pitchers have rallied in Kershaw's absence, having allowed one run or fewer in four of six starts - a span in which Los Angeles is 5-1 - since their southpaw ace was sent to the DL.

The club also received positive news on a pair of other injuries Wednesday, with Roberts expressing optimism that outfielder Andre Ethier could be back by Aug. 2, and pitcher Brett Anderson is targeting a mid-August return.

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