Roberts: Kershaw likely to make start in minors

Clayton Kershaw's latest step in his rehab appears to have gone off without a hitch.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ace threw two simulated innings Tuesday and "came out of it well," according to manager Dave Roberts, who made the pronouncement to reporters before Tuesday's game in Colorado.

A minor-league rehab start is the next logical step for Kershaw "in all likelihood," Roberts said.

Roberts also said the team believes Kershaw, who hasn't pitched in a game since late June due to the herniated disk in his back, could possibly throw four or five innings at the big-league level in his next start. The Dodgers are hopeful the 28-year-old can return at some point within the next two weeks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Kershaw, who threw 35 pitches in his simulated game at Dodger Stadium, isn't ready to pronounce himself fit for a return just yet.

"Last time I came out of this OK, got home and felt terrible," he told Jon Weisman of Dodgers.com.

Kershaw reported that he felt "100 percent" after completing a bullpen session on Aug. 20. On Monday, Roberts told reporters that it was "plausible" Kershaw could return this week if everything went well.