Kershaw feels '100 percent' following bullpen session

The Los Angeles Dodgers might get their ace back sooner rather than later.

Sidelined since late June with a back injury, Kershaw encountered no issues during a bullpen session Saturday in Cincinnati and plans to throw another in a couple of days.

"I felt good," Kershaw told reporters. "I don't know. Until you face hitters, you don't really know for sure. I feel 100 percent right now, so that's a good sign."

The Dodgers said earlier this month that they expect to get Kershaw back at some point in September, with manager Dave Roberts saying Thursday that he believes there's enough time to get the three-time Cy Young winner two or three starts before the postseason.

Kershaw was enjoying another stellar season prior to going down with the injury. In 16 starts, he's 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts in 121 innings.

The Dodgers have managed to go 26-18 since he went down and climbed within 1/2 game of the division lead.