Kershaw to return from DL on Friday

The Los Angeles Dodgers finally have their ace back.

Manager Dave Roberts announced Sunday that left-hander Clayton Kershaw will return from the disabled list Friday and start the series opener against the Miami Marlins.

"It's going to be fun," Kershaw told reporters. "It's been a long time coming. I'm excited to get back out there and get going."

Sidelined since late June with a back injury, Kershaw completed a three-inning rehab stint Saturday, striking out five on 34 pitches.

"It felt good. I was able to, you know, warm up and sit between innings, stuff that’s kind of bothered me in the past," Kershaw said. "It was definitely a good test, kind of pitch in a game setting again, kind of have a normal game-type situation."

Kershaw established himself as the NL Cy Young front-runner across the first half of the season. Before suffering the injury, the six-time All-Star was 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA and career-low 0.73 WHIP.

"I'll never get hurt again because it's awful," Kershaw said.

Despite the loss of their top starter, the Dodgers managed to stay afloat during Kershaw's absence and find themselves with a two-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.