Kershaw moves closer to return

CHICAGO — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has taken another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back.

Kershaw threw a threeinning simulated game before Los Angeles’ series opener against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner says he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers.

The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. The left-hander pitched five effective innings in a no-decision against the Phillies, and then went back on the disabled list the next day with the back injury.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he was very encouraged by Kershaw’s simulated game. He says the organization is leaning toward sending him out for a rehab start, probably with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but left open the possibility his next outing could be for Los Angeles.

CLEVELAND — The Indians caught a lucky break. Carlos Carrasco is only bruised.

An MRI taken Monday revealed that Cleveland’s steady starter only suffered a bruised right elbow when he was struck by a vicious line drive on Saturday against Minnesota.

“We dodged a huge bullet,” said relieved Indians manager Terry Francona.

Carrasco, who has previously sustained serious injuries after being hit by comebackers, will be treated for swelling over the next 48 hours before being evaluated Wednesday.

At this point, it’s expected that Carrasco will return to the rotation and mound once his stint on the disabled list ends.

“He still got hit really hard and there’s some trauma,” Francona said before the Indians opened a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox. “The hope would be, once he gets the swelling out of there, that he’ll come quick because it’s a bruise and it could have been a lot worse.”

In the second inning on Saturday, Twins star Joe Mauer hit a line drive that Carrasco couldn’t avoid. The 31-year-old, who has been one of the AL’s most consistent pitchers the past three seasons, braced himself before absorbing the liner. He was forced to leave the game and taken to the hospital. on