Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw closing in on return to rotation

Clayton Kershaw logged four simulated innings during a session at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. His next outing could occur on a major league mound.

On the disabled list since late June because of a herniated disk, Kershaw has been making steady progress in his rehabilitation. Manager Dave Roberts indicated the decision for the next step will be left up to the player.

“For us and for me, it’s more of deferring to Clayton and how he feels and his comfort level,” he said.

Roberts added, “With a guy like Clayton, yeah, you’ve got to defer to him. And he’s earned that.”

Kershaw would be on schedule to pitch Thursday in Washington. The team could also provide him an extra day of rest and start him Friday in St. Louis.

Kershaw completed his outing Saturday while throwing at maximum effort and using the full complement of his pitches. Both Kershaw and Roberts have said they do not feel the pitcher needs a rehabilitation start before rejoining the big league staff.

“It’s hard to put a leash on Kershaw,” Roberts said.

Pitching alongside Kershaw, Alex Wood (elbow impingement) also threw two simulated innings. He is not eligible to return from the disabled list until July 30.

Thompson lands on DL

The Dodgers placed Trayce Thompson on the 15-day disabled list because of lower back irritation. The stint is retroactive to July 10.

To take his spot on the roster, the team recalled utility man Zach Walters, who can play both the middle of the infield and the corners of the outfield. Walters hit .298 with an .836 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with triple-A Oklahoma City this season.

“I think I can rotate around and help give guys a break, help set them up for the long haul,” Walters said. “I like to say my best defense is offense. Hopefully I can show what I can do with my bat.”

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes