Clayton Kershaw expected to throw 50 pitches in rehab outing

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw is expected to create something of a regional tremor Saturday when he takes the mound for the Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who play some 48 miles to the east of Dodger Stadium.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner is expected to throw 50 pitches and three innings against Modesto in a minor league rehab outing as he tries to return to the major leagues at some point this month.

Kershaw has been out since June 26 with a lower-back injury, and it is possible he could return to the Dodgers on the club's next road trip, which starts next Friday and takes the team to Miami, Yankee Stadium and Arizona.

Depending on when he returns, Kershaw could make as many as four starts with the Dodgers down the stretch. And if the club lines up the starts just right, two of them could come against the division rival San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers are in first place in the National League West, two games ahead of the Giants, after Los Angeles' 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday night.

Rancho Cucamonga has been a popular landing spot for rehabbing Dodgers players this season. Los Angeles has put a record-tying 27 players on the disabled list this season.

Dodgers players who have made appearances for the Quakes this season include: Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Enrique Hernandez, Howie Kendrick, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson, Bud Norris, Casey Fien, Josh Ravin and Adam Liberatore.

Anderson also will pitch in Saturday's game for the Quakes, as he is scheduled to take the mound after Kershaw departs. Anderson is trying to return from a blister issue that has him on the disabled list.