Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Scheduled for Friday return

Kershaw (back) will make his return to the Dodgers on Friday in Miami, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:

Kershaw dazzled in his last rehab outing, but the real question was whether or not the Dodgers would schedule him for another start in the minors to get his pitch count up. It sounds like that won't be necessary, as the ace lefty will make his long-awaited return Friday. The team may be careful with his pitch count early on, as their chances of postseason success are heavily dependent on the health of the southpaw.