Dodgers ace Kershaw set for rehab start in minors

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled make a minor league rehab start Saturday as he continues his recovery from a strained lower back.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner could be back pitching in the majors soon.

According to manager Dave Roberts, Kershaw will be limited to four innings and 60 pitches when he returns to the mound with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha. If the outing goes well, Roberts hoped the left-hander’s next appearance would be with Los Angeles.

Kershaw threw 45 pitches in three simulated innings Monday and said he expected to pitch “somewhere” in four or five days. His unstated preference was apparently to skip the rehab start and return to the Dodgers’ rotation.

“He stated his case — as he has always done. Which is great. It’s what you would expect,” Roberts said.

The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before going back on the disabled list the next day with the back injury.

RANGERS DEMOTE MENDEZ >> The Rangers sent rookie lefthander Yohander Mendez back to Triple-A Round Rock for violating unspecified team rules.

Mendez was supposed to start today’s series finale against the Royals.

“It’s not criminal, nothing involving MLB or the police,” said GM Jon Daniels, who added that at least one other player was involved, but his discipline will be handled in-house. ESCOBAR’S STREAK TO END >> Alcides Escobar’s streak of making 406 consecutive starts as Royals shortstop is about to end. Manager Ned Yost said he plans to play Adalberto Mondesi, 22, a couple of days a week at shortstop. Escobar, 31, has been the Royals everyday shortstop since 2011.