Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: To rejoin Dodgers in Cincinnati

Kershaw (back) is scheduled to rejoin the Dodgers during a four-game series in Cincinnati that begins Friday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:

Kershaw is on track to throw a "light" bullpen session Saturday, and the ace will then be reevaluated from there. He can't actually be added to the active roster until Aug. 27, but the Dodgers plan to keep him with the team so they can utilize him as soon as he's deemed ready. Kershaw hasn't pitched in a game since June 26, but his presence in the season's final month could provide a major boost to the Dodgers, who own a game-and-a-half lead over the Giants in the NL West entering Thursday.