Kershaw skips rehab, will face Mets

NEW YORK — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has accelerated his return to the big-league roster.

Kershaw will start Saturday against the Mets after being allowed to skip his scheduled minor-league rehabilitation outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Kershaw has pitched only once in the majors since May 1 and has been on the disabled list twice, first with biceps tendinitis then with a strained lower back.

Manager Dave Roberts cited the possibility of storms in Omaha, Neb., where Oklahoma City is playing this weekend, one factor in the decision.

“With the weather uncertainty in Omaha, to keep him here to make his start is probably the best thing for him, and for us,” Roberts said before Friday’s series opener.

“We don’t know how much he’s going to pitch. I don’t want to put a limit on him. Obviously, there is a limitation with Clayton, and I’ll make that decision.”

The matchup should delight TV executives. Mets ace Jacob deGrom (5-2, 1.51), who has posted a 1.13 ERA in his last nine starts, also is starting.

Kershaw was slated to as throw four or five innings for Oklahoma City. The Dodgers will keep Caleb Ferguson, who had been penciled in to start Saturday, on the roster in case the New York weather disrupts Kershaw’s appearance.

Kershaw never hid his preference for pitching in the majors over the minors. He mentioned the forecast in Omaha to team officials, Roberts said.

“He did play a little weatherman,” Roberts said. “With weather.com and Clayton, we were pretty abreast of the weather in Omaha.”

Kershaw (1-4, 2.76) played long toss Friday at Citi Field.