LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' starting-pitching staff is on the mend, and its ace is inching closer toward a return to the mound.
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw will throw a simulated game either Tuesday or Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. The outing is expected to last 3-4 innings.
The plan is for Kershaw to follow his sim game with a bullpen session and then a rehab start before he rejoins the Dodgers' rotation.
For the second year in a row, a lower back injury has hampered Kershaw midseason. Roberts said that the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner is adjusting to a new normal that has necessitated an increased focus on mechanics.
"He's trying to relearn his body," Roberts said, "whether it be alignment, whether it be the health of the back. He's never been a mechanics-driven guy, really has never really thought too much about mechanics throughout his career. Just having things synced up with his delivery, he's kind of not there yet. And so he and [pitching coach Rick Honeycutt] are working through that."
Kershaw, who served a previous stint on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis, has not pitched since May 31 against the Phillies.
Hutchison agrees to Minor League deal
The Dodgers signed right-hander Andrew Hutchison to a Minor League deal Saturday, according to Triple-A Oklahoma City communications director Alex Freedman.
Hutchison, 27, began the season with the Phillies but was designated for assignment on May 31. He made 11 appearances as a reliever, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.64 ERA across 21 1/3 innings. He's expected to make his debut within the Dodgers' organization on Sunday.

Los Angeles entered Saturday with nine members of its pitching staff on the DL: Walker Buehler, Pedro Baez, Tony Cingrani, Rich Hill, Kershaw, Tom Koehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dennis Santana and Julio Urias.
Dodgers ink over half of 2018 Draft class
Since the Draft concluded June 6, the Dodgers have signed 23 of their 40 selections: right-handed pitcher Braydon Fisher (fourth round), infielder Devin Mann (fifth round), outfielder James Outman (seventh round), infielder Luke Heyer (eighth round), outfielder Josh McLain (ninth round), first baseman Dillon Paulson (13th round), outfielder Aldrich De Jongh (17th round), outfielder Niko Hulsizer (18th round), right-handed pitcher Caleb Sampen (20th round), catcher Tre Todd (21st round), right-handed pitcher Justin Hagenman (23rd round), right-handed pitcher Hunter Speer (25th round), catcher Aaron Ackerman (26th round), left-handed pitcher Connor Mitchell (27th round), right-handed pitcher Reza Aleaziz (28th round), outfielder Daniel Robinson (29th round), outfielder Matt Cogen (30th round), left-handed pitcher Andrew Shaps (31st round), right-handed pitcher Jacob Gilliland (32nd round), outfielder Drew Avans (33rd round), left-handed pitcher Austin Drury (34th round), outfielder Jeremiah Vison (36th round) and outfielder Jon Littell (37th round).