Clayton Kershaw to pitch simulated game vs. Single-A hitters

DENVER -- In the same setting and under similar circumstances, the Dodgers will conduct another simulated game for ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who has not pitched since June 26 because of a lower back issue, will pitch at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday against hitters brought in from Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

The Dodgers tried all this before, of course, having Quakes batters face Kershaw at Dodger Stadium on July 16, but a setback that day caused Kershaw to restart his rehab all over again. But where that start was 20 days after he last pitched, Tuesday's outing will come 45 days after he last faced hitters.

"Kersh is still on track," manager Dave Roberts said Monday from Colorado where the Dodgers were set to open a three-game series against the Rockies. "We're encouraged so we'll see what happens after that."

Kershaw actually flew with the team to Colorado on Sunday night but returned to Los Angeles on Monday. Other injured pitchers like Scott Kazmir, Alex Wood and Brandon McCarthy did the same and all four played catch at Coors Field on Monday afternoon before returning home. Those players made the trip to take part in the draft for the team's annual fantasy football league.

McCarthy and Brett Anderson are also expected to participate in Tuesday's simulated game.

Assuming all goes well, Kershaw could pitch in a minor league game on the upcoming weekend. If he does, it would be his only regular season minor league game since the schedules at Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A end next Monday. Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City are playoff eligible.

The left-hander is still trying to return in September, but no guarantees have been made that he will.

"At that point and time it depends on how he comes out of it," Roberts said when asked what comes after the simulated outing. "We have a couple of different scenarios and depending on how he comes out of it we'll make a decision."