Dodgers notes: Clayton Kershaw, Will Smith, James Outman

Amidst the recent injuries the Dodgers have dealt with to their rotation, it looks like Clayton Kershaw’s return is back on schedule.

After suffering from shoulder soreness during his rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Kershaw was able to throw against live hitters for the first time since last month.

Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports that Kershaw threw a sim game on Sunday before the Dodgers series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, and should resume his minor league rehab assignment within the next week.

This week, he began playing catch again. After Sunday’s outing, he should be ready to resume his minor league rehab stint next week, too, though manager Dave Roberts said he didn’t know exactly when or with which affiliate that next start will take place.

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Will Smith made his long-awaited first All Star game appearance last season, but was overlooked by fans during the first two rounds of All Star voting for this year’s midsummer classic, with Brewers catcher William Contreras receiving the starting nod.

After a torrid week where he slashed .300/.417/.950 with four home runs (all coming against Milwaukee), Smith reminded baseball fans that he deserves to be included as a National League All Star (and he made the team on Sunday, voted in by players).

Manager Dave Roberts spoke on what makes Smith consistently one of the best catchers in all of baseball, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

“Other guys go up and down,” Roberts said. “They ride the mental roller coaster and they just can’t sustain it. So Will can hit three homers and act like he punched three times but he’ll be ready to play the next day. And that’s what makes him unique.”

James Outman hasn’t had much of a sample size since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, but in five at bats, he has three hits, including two during the Dodgers’ win on Saturday,

Randy Holt of MSN.com writes about how the Dodgers could transfer their trade deadline priorities to upgrades within the rotation if Outman is able to perform like his 2023 self.

If Outman is able to carry his minor league adjustments into his latest big league stint, there’s a chance he could latch back onto the starting job in center field... Such a scenario playing out would allow the Dodgers to throw their focus more into bolstering the depth on the pitching staff, as improvements from Outman, combined with an excelling Rojas, could provide the lineup length they’re seeking.