Kershaw on pace to start in Minors on Friday

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday that will set him up to begin a Minor League rehab assignment Friday.

Kershaw said he came out of his Sunday simulated game feeling fine. He's been on the disabled list since March 23 with a strained teres major muscle.

Kershaw made 50 pitches on Sunday, which manager Don Mattingly called "basically a start. That's a game, and he bounced out good."

Even if Kershaw extends into the 70-pitch neighborhood in the Minor Leagues on Friday, the club is likely to encourage him to make a second rehab start. Kershaw is eager to return, but even with a second outing, he could rejoin the Dodgers' rotation in Washington at the end of the upcoming trip.