Clayton Kershaw throws from 90 feet, will throw again Saturday

LOS ANGELES -- For the second time in a week, Los Angeles Dodgers staff ace Clayton Kershaw had a throwing session on flat ground, and his rehab schedule appears to be increasing.

Kershaw, who is out with a lower back injury, threw from about 90 feet Friday, after throwing from about 65 feet on Sunday. The Dodgers are now expected to turn around Kershaw quickly and have him throw from flat ground again Saturday.

"We'll see what happens," manager said Dave Roberts, who offered few details about his pitcher's recovery timetable.

Kershaw has not pitched in a major league game since June 26 at Pittsburgh. He had one simulated start against minor league hitters shortly after the All-Star break, on July 16, but he had a setback that day and was shut down again.

Sunday's throwing session marked the first time he participated in baseball-related activity, outside of rehab for his lower back injury, since the simulated game.

Kershaw has said all along that he intends to pitch again this season, even saying he wants to have an impact on the club down the stretch. Roberts has also been optimistic that Kershaw will pitch again in 2016.

Asked if Kershaw will have a throwing session from atop a pitcher's mound soon, Roberts said, "There might be something on the horizon, but I'm not sure what day."

If Kershaw throws from a mound next week it will be at Dodger Stadium. Roberts said Kershaw will not be asked to continue his rehab on the club's upcoming trip to Philadelphia and Cincinnati that starts Tuesday.