Clayton Kershaw to start on Friday at Miami

LOS ANGELES ----- Manager Dave Roberts said that Clayton Kershaw will return to the Dodgers' rotation on Friday when he makes the start against the Marlins at Miami.

"It's a big lift, everybody in the clubhouse is excited, anticipating Clayton's return," Roberts said, "for Clayton, to watch his teammates play for this length of time I know was killing him, so to be active again and to help us win a baseball game, I think that he is over the moon."

Kershaw made a rehab start last night at Rancho Cucamonga when he pitched three scoreless innings and struck out five.  Kershaw made 34 pitches in his start and then threw 15 more in the bullpen.a

"[Kershaw] is coming off 50 pitches, 35 in a game, there really is no hard number," Roberts said, "I'm going to be aware of the usage, as big as a start as it is, to get him back, I think the bigger picture is also going forward and managing it.  Clayton is going to want to go as far as he can go but that's definitely my job to manage that."

Roberts said the rotation will be Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart for the upcoming series against Diamondbacks.

Roberts gave updates on upcoming rehab appearances for Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir.  McCarthy will pitch on Monday September 5th for the Quakes at Rancho Cucamonga.

Scott Kazmir will start for the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Wednesday September 7th at Oklahoma City.  That will be Game 1 of the Dodgers first round playoff series against the Nashville Sounds (Athletics).

"[Kazmir] is going to be [six innings and 90 pitches] and at that point and time, if it goes well as we expect," Roberts said, "then we will see him in one of those games against the Yankees."

Brett Anderson also made a rehab appearance at Rancho Cucamonga on last night, he pitched two innings and allowed six runs and nine hits.  Roberts said that his blister continues to be an issue.

"Brett had a little bit of an issue with a blister resurfacing, Roberts said, "we got to re-assess with the medical staff about what we are going to do next with Brett."

Corey Seager is getting a day off with a day game following a night game.  Austin Barnes is starting at catcher because he and today's starting pitcher, Jose De Leon, worked together in minors, most recently at Oklahoma City.