Clayton Kershaw injury update: Dodgers ace nears comeback after participating in simulated game 

Clayton Kershaw could be returning to the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation sooner than later. The ace pitcher has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since the end of June.

Clayton Kershaw has been receiving cortisone shots and working towards a return, but he finally participated in a simulated game recently- the biggest step to a return yet.

Manager Dave Roberts said of Kershaw's potential return via True Blue LA:

“The fastball was fine, the slider was fine. I think the curveball wasn’t sharp today. But the main thing was just to see how he looked, and get him up and down a few times. We accomplished what we wanted to.”

Kershaw may not be in top form right now, but he's inching closer to a return and that's what the Dodgers and Roberts care about more than anything else at this point.

---

Clayton Kershaw nearing return for LA Dodgers

Before the return of baseball following the All-Star Break, Roberts said that Clayton Kershaw could return in early August. That appears to be holding true based on the latest update.

Clayton Kershaw injury update

A sim game doesn't mean he's back, but it does mean that he can begin a rehab stint very soon. After that, he will be back. That's great news for the Dodgers, who are stiff-arming the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants in the West right now.