Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Next step could be rehab stint

Kershaw (shoulder) completed three simulated innings at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, and he could be ready to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

Kershaw's fastball hit 88-89 mph in the sim game, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, which is in the range of his usual velocity over the past three seasons. Manager Dave Roberts proclaimed the future Hall of Famer to be "much further" along in his recovery than initially expected. Kershaw will almost certainly need to log multiple rehab starts, and the Dodgers are very unlikely to rush him back, but the southpaw could be ready to make his season debut sometime in July.