Rehabbing Kershaw to make 1st-ever start in Triple-A

The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to getting their ace back.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday that Clayton Kershaw will make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. It will mark his first career appearance in Triple-A.

Sidelined for the last month with a back injury, Kershaw completed a four-inning simulated game Monday and came out of it without any issues. He said that he's felt good physically for awhile, but the Dodgers have been extra cautious due to their 20-game lead in the division.

"Health-wise, I could have pitched in the big leagues 10 days ago," Kershaw said, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "But that's not the plan obviously."

Kershaw was 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 168 strikeouts before he landed on the DL. The injury has hardly slowed the Dodgers down, however, with the club going 18-4 since Kershaw was hurt.