LHP Clayton Kershaw (back) threw a 38-pitch, two-inning simulated game Wednesday. He next is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game in five days or go on a rehab assignment.

LHP Clayton Kershaw, on the disabled list since July 24 (back), is scheduled to throw two simulated innings at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday. He threw approximately 50 pitches during a bullpen session on Sunday after throwing 30 on Friday, his first bullpen session since going on the DL.

LHP Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, his second in three days since going on the 10-day disabled list July 24 with a back ailment.

LHP Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session Friday, manager Dave Roberts said, after 2 1/2 weeks on the disabled list. The next step will be a rehab start. "If you are not throwing innings, not sitting down and getting back up, you inherently lose a little of your stamina and endurance, so I'm going to have to simulate that at some point," Kershaw said. "Go through the whole bullpen, sim game, rehab at some point. But feel healthy right now, so that is good." Kershaw will need four or five starts before the end of the regular season to be ready for the playoffs, Roberts said.

LHP Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) played an aggressive game of catch Tuesday. "Stretched out a little bit today," manager Dave Roberts said. "Going to do the same thingtomorrow." Kershaw is expected to throw a bullpen in the next few days, Roberts said, probably when the Dodgers return home for a weekend series against San Diego. "He's close," Roberts said. "It just makes sense for us to be cautious. We don't want to put ourselves in any situation where there is a setback." Kershaw has been on the disabled list since July 24. "Clayton resists that, but I think that is best for us to err on the side of caution. No timetable." Kershaw would need four to five regular-season starts to prepare for the playoffs, Roberts said.

LHP Clayton Kershaw (back) won't begin throwing off a mound until at least next week. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said Thursday that Kershaw was itching to get back on the mound, amended his comments Friday by saying Kershaw won't throw off the mound " ... in the next few days, I can promise you that." Roberts said Kershaw continues to improve and that the Dodgers will follow the advice of their medical staff regarding his progression. Kershaw was the leading contender for the National League Cy Young Award when he was placed on the 10-day disabled list July 24, one day after he exited his start against the Atlanta Braves after just two innings. He is 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 21 starts this season.

LHP Clayton Kershaw (back injury) played catch for the third straight day. Kershaw will travel with the Dodgers on their upcoming trip, for the first three games in Atlanta and then catching up with the team for their last stop, in Arizona. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to back pain on July 24.

LHP Clayton Kershaw received permission from his doctors to play catch before Friday's game, indicating that his back injury may not be the long-term injury first feared. He suffered a muscle strain in the second inning of his start Sunday, near the herniated disc he suffered last season. No timetable has been put on his return. If his stay on the DL is less than four weeks, the Dodgers may decide not to pursue a starting pitcher at the trade deadline July 31. "Last year I couldn't sit," Kershaw said. "Couldn't really bend in any way. This one isn't near (as bad) in any way. I'm just trying to balance what I want to do with not doing too much before it heals."

LHP Clayton Kershaw is expected to be sidelined at least a month for the Los Angeles Dodgers after leaving Sunday's game due to back pain. The initial prognosis by the team on Monday, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, is that Kershaw will miss four to six weeks. Kershaw was on his way to a runaway Cy Young season when he encountered tightness in his back Sunday. He was 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA before Sunday's game and even had a case for Most Valuable Player for the National League West-leading Dodgers. He threw 21 pitches and struck out two and walked one before manager Dave Roberts visited the mound.

LHP Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to back pain on Monday. He is expected to miss at least a month. Kershaw was on his way to a runaway Cy Young season when he encountered tightness in his back Sunday. He was 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA before Sunday's game and even had a case for Most Valuable Player for the National League West-leading Dodgers. He threw 21 pitches and struck out two and walked one before manager Dave Roberts visited the mound.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw to be sidelined at least a month after leaving Sunday's game due to back pain.The Dodgers placed Kershaw on the 10-day disabled list Monday.In other roster moves, right-hander Brandon McCarthy was put (blister) on the 10-day DL, outfielder Trayce Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu was reinstated from the DL, the contract of left-hander Edward Paredes was selected from Oklahoma City and right-hander Josh Ravin was recalled from OKC.The initial prognosis on Kershaw by the team, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, is that the Dodgers' ace will miss four to six weeks.A final determination of Kershaw's condition and timetable for his absence will be made following an examination by specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. Kershaw was on his way to a runaway Cy Young season when he encountered tightness in his back Sunday.Kershaw was 15-2 with a... [More]

The Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw to be sidelined at least a month after leaving Sunday's game due to back pain.The initial prognosis by the team on Monday, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, is that Kershaw will miss four to six weeks.A final determination of Kershaw's condition and timetable for his absence will be made following an examination by specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. Kershaw was on his way to a runaway Cy Young season when he encountered tightness in his back Sunday.Kershaw was 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA before Sunday's game and even had a case for Most Valuable Player for the National League West-leading Dodgers. He threw 21 pitches and struck out two and walked one before manager Dave Roberts visited the mound. "Obviously, I'm not optimistic because I got taken out of the game," said Kershaw, who spent more than two months on the disabled list in 2016 with a back injury. "At the same time, some... [More]

Clayton Kershaw was on his way to a runaway Cy Young season when the Los Angeles Dodgers' left-hander encountered tightness in his back Sunday.Kershaw was 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA before Sunday's game and even had a case for Most Valuable Player for the National League West-leading Dodgers. He threw 21 pitches and struck out two and walked one before manager Dave Roberts visited the mound. Kershaw was removed from the game with back pain."Obviously, I'm not optimistic because I got taken out of the game," said Kershaw, who spent more than two months on the disabled list in 2016 with a back injury. "At the same time, some of the symptoms aren't as bad as they could be."Kershaw said he was feeling "a lot of frustration" because his hundreds of hours of treatment and rehab apparently weren't enough to preserve his balky back.The Dodgers, who lead the NL West by 10 1/2 games entering Monday, will not push Kershaw to return regardless of his recovery. At this point, Roberts expects a considerable stint on the disabled list for the team's ace.Roberts would not comment on the team's interest in other starting pitchers. The Dodgers have been rumored to be interested in Texas Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish and have one week before the trade deadline.

LHP Clayton Kershaw left the game after two innings with right low back tightness and will go on the 10-day disabled list."I'm not optimistic just because I got taken out of the game," Kershaw said. "At the same time, some of the symptoms aren't as bad as they could be. Hopefully find out more (Sunday evening)." Last year, Kershaw missed 2 1/2 months during the season with a herniated disc that didn't require surgery."I don't want to compare because there's so many variables," Kershaw said. "I don't even know how to compare it, honestly."Kershaw said he felt something different on his final warmup pitch in the second inning.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw left Los Angeles' game against the Atlanta Braves after two innings Sunday due to right lower back tightness.Kershaw was scheduled to see Dr. Robert Watkins on Sunday evening for tests. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw would go on the 10-day disabled list no matter the results.This is not the first time Kershaw has dealt with a back issue. Last year, he missed 2 1/2 months during the season with a herniated disk that didn't require surgery. He said he felt something different on his final warmup pitch in the second inning.Kershaw struck out two, walked one and didn't allow a hit or a run while throwing 21 pitches before exiting. He is 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA and is having another Cy Young Award-caliber season. Kershaw hasn't lost a start since May 1.--Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg was lifted after pitching two scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.Strasburg said after the game that he was experiencing achiness in his forearm that... [More]

LOS ANGELES -- Logan Forsythe hit a bases-loaded, walk-off single in the 10th inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.Despite the win, the Dodgers got some bad news, as ace Clayton Kershaw left the game after two innings with right lower back tightness. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw would go on the 10-day disabled list.Austin Barnes and Cody Bellinger homered for the Dodgers, but Kenley Jansen blew a save by giving up a three-run homer to Matt Adams that tied the game at 4 in the ninth inning. Jansen was perfect in his first 24 save opportunities but couldn't get the four-out save on Sunday.Cubs 5, Cardinals 3CHICAGO -- Willson Contreras snapped a tie with a two-run home run in the sixth inning, leading Chicago to a victory over St. Louis and a tie for first place in the National League Central.The Cubs caught Milwaukee in the division with their eighth victory in nine games. Chicago has made up a 5 1/2-game deficit on the Brewers since... [More]

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw left his start against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday after two innings with right lower back tightness, the team announced. Kershaw uncharacteristically bounced a curveball in the dirt and was visited by a trainer and manager Dave Roberts in the second inning during Tyler Flowers' at-bat. Kershaw eventually walked Flowers and then struck out Matt Adams to end the inning. Trainers talked to Kershaw in the dugout and then went into the clubhouse. Long reliever Ross Stripling warmed up in the bullpen and entered the game in the third. Several Dodgers players are sick, including Justin Turner -- who has bronchitis -- and Rich Hill. Kershaw was 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA before Sunday's game and is having another Cy Young-caliber season for the National League West-leading Dodgers. He threw 21 pitches and struck out two and walked one. Tracye Thompson pinch hit for Kershaw in the second inning.

LHP Clayton Kershaw (15-2) admitted he was a little rusty after a nine-day layoff but was effective enough to handle the Chicago White Sox in a 1-0 Dodgers victory on Tuesday. Kershaw (15-2) extended his unbeaten streak to 14 starts since May 6, a stretch that includes 11 victories. He allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out seven. "My fastball command wasn't great the first few innings but got a little better as it went," Kershaw said. "Nine days off is definitely not something I'm used to. So I'm thankful to get out of that unscathed."

LHP Clayton Kershaw (14-2, 2.18 ERA) will start on Tuesday when the Dodgers visit the Chicago White Sox. Kershaw last pitched on July 9 against the Kansas City Royals, earning a complete-game victory. He allowed just six hits and two runs, striking out 13 without walking a batter and firing an efficient 99 pitches. Batters are hitting just .195 against Kershaw this year. Kershaw has also made 13 consecutive starts without being tagged for a loss. Kershaw hasn't pitched against the White Sox since 2014 but is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts against them.

Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale and Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer were named the starting pitchers for Tuesday night's 88th All-Star Game at Marlins Park in Miami. Sale will become the first pitcher to make consecutive All-Star starts representing different teams. He started for the American League last season while with the Chicago White Sox.The 28-year-old Sale also becomes the first pitcher to be named his league's starting pitcher in consecutive years since 2000-01 when Arizona's Randy Johnson did so for the National League. Sale also is the first in the AL since Toronto's Dave Stieb in 1983-84.In last year's game in San Diego, Sale pitched the first inning and allowed a two-out home run to Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs.Sale, who was traded in December to the Red Sox for top prospects, is 11-4 with a 2.75 ERA and a major league-leading 178 strikeouts in 127 2/3 innings and 18 starts this season.Scherzer, 32, will be making his second All-Star start. He was with... [More]