Clayton Kershaw throws off mound, raising hopes of his return

CINCINNATI -- Clayton Kershaw threw an abbreviated mound session Friday, increasing the possibility that he could pitch for the Dodgers again this season.

Long before Great American Ball Park was opened to fans, Kershaw threw about 20 pitches off the mound under the watch of pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, Manager Don Mattingly, medical director Stan Conte and trainer Sue Falsone.

Kershaw later ran and performed agility drills in the outfield.

For now, the Dodgers are planning to start Aaron Harang on three-days rest in their series finale in Cincinnati.

Kershaw missed his last start because of a hip injury and visited an orthopedic surgeon in New York on Tuesday.

Kershaw is one of three Dodgers starting pitchers who are sidelined; Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly are lost for the season.

The Dodgers, who open a three-game series against the Reds on Friday, are three games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second of two National League wild-card spots.

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