Kershaw takes step toward return

Clayton Kershaw was back on the mound at Oracle Park on Tuesday afternoon, a spot from which he has frequently dominated hitters.

This time, though, he was going against teammates Luke Raley and Sheldon Neuse, throwing approximately 45 pitches over three innings in a simulated-game setting. The sim-game session was a significant step in Kershaw’s return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation. The left-hander has been on the injured list since his last start on July 3 due to inflammation in his pitching elbow.

“I think it went alright,” Kershaw said. “Got it done. That stuff is no fun so I’m glad I got it over with.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said how Kershaw feels the day after his first extensive throwing session in more than three weeks will be “telling.” But Kershaw downplayed that, saying the only thing left now is “build up.”

“I think I’ll be fine,” he said. Roberts said Kershaw’s “stuff was good to the eye” and there will be “some more clarity” on what the next step will be as the week progresses.

“It’s just a matter of what the team needs,” Kershaw said.

“Obviously I’m not built up to 100 pitches or whatever. If I have to be built up to 90, 100 pitches, I’ll probably have to do another one. If less than that is good enough to be back then I’ll probably be back.

“If they need me back, I’ll be ready. But I’m not at a full pitch count. So if I have to build up again, I’ll probably have to do that again.”

The Dodgers’ need to get their three-time Cy Young Award winner back in the starting rotation could be affected by the front office’s ability to acquire pitching before Friday’s MLB trade deadline. Despite their shortage of available starting pitchers, Kershaw said the Dodgers were “in a good spot.”

“You’re just always in a good spot when you’re on our team because you’re never subtracting. So that’s always good,” he said. “Better to be in our position than selling,