this last game.”The rookies gathered in spring to begin t

Clayton Kershaw is set to make a surprise return from the disabled list Saturday night http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jawaan-taylor-jersey , starting for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a marquee matchup against New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom.

Kershaw has been sidelined since June 1 with a lower back strain. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP originally was scheduled to make a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City at Omaha, but heavy rain in the forecast caused the Dodgers to change plans.

”It’s probably the best thing for him and for us,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday. ”We don’t know how much he’s going to pitch. I don’t want to put a limit on him. Obviously, there is a limitation with Clayton, and I’ll make that decision.”

Roberts said rookie Caleb Ferguson (0-1, 7.59 ERA) will be ready in reserve. The 21-year-old left-hander had been slated to make his fourth major league start Saturday.

There’s rain in the New York forecast as well, but Roberts said the Dodgers took all that into account.

”From what I understand it’s going to be early and if there’s a delay, we have ample time to get him ready. But obviously, we’re not going to do anything to put him in harm’s way,” Roberts said. ”If there is something where we are shut down, having Caleb behind him, we have that coverage. So we can kind of combat that.”

Before the switch Josh Oliver Jersey , Roberts had said Kershaw would throw no more than four innings and 60 pitches for Oklahoma City.

The 30-year-old Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.76 ERA in eight starts this year for the defending NL champions, who have been riddled by injuries.

He was out for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He pitched five effective innings in a no-decision against the Phillies, and then went back on the disabled list the next day with the back injury.

The ace left-hander threw a three-inning simulated Monday at Wrigley Field in Chicago and said he felt really good. The next day, Roberts said Kershaw returning against the Mets this weekend was considered, but the team opted for a minor league start to give him ”the best chance for success and health.”

Kershaw, a seven-time All-Star, missed about five weeks last season with a similar back problem.

Roberts acknowledged that Kershaw lobbied to pitch at Citi Field this weekend, rather than in the minors.

”He did play a little weather man, so with weather.com and Clayton, we were pretty abreast with the weather in Omaha,” Roberts said with a chuckle.

”Just the way he’s responded to all the tests and to get him with us, the weather over there in Omaha http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-quincy-williams-ii-jersey , we feel comfortable and confident,” the manager added.

Rich Hill will start Sunday for the Dodgers, followed by Kenta Maeda at home Monday against the Cubs.

In other injury-related news, shortstop Chris Taylor was out of the lineup because of a tight left hamstring. Enrique Hernandez started in place of Taylor, who exited Wednesday’s game in Chicago against the Cubs. He was available off the bench – probably just to hit, Roberts said.

”We’ll give him today and we’ll see about tomorrow,” he added.

Backup infielder Chase Utley was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list after missing 19 games with a sprained left thumb. A longtime New York nemesis and villain to Mets fans, Utley was on the bench for the series opener. He was batting .216 with a home run and 14 RBIs this season.

Utley has excelled as a pinch hitter, going 7 for 17 (.412) with five RBIs and two extra-base hits.

Los Angeles opened a roster spot for him by optioning catcher-infielder Kyle Farmer to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Rookie right-hander Walker Buehler is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, the next step in his comeback from a right rib microfracture. He could return to the rotation without a minor league rehab assignment, Roberts said.

Rated one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, Buehler is 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in nine big league starts.

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OWINGS MILLS Ryquell Armstead Jersey , Md. (AP) — Lamar Jackson has gotten most of the headlines, yet the former Louisville quarterback is merely one of several rookies whose contributions have helped the Baltimore Ravens move within striking distance of the AFC North title.Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and 32nd overall pick in the draft, has won five or six since replacing veteran Joe Flacco at quarterback in mid-November. Undrafted running back Gus Edwards, right tackle Orlando Brown and tight ends Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews have also fortified a revamped offense that’s averaging 25 points per game with Jackson calling the plays.“There are a bunch of kids out there,” 34-year-old guard Marshal Yanda said. “When I look out in the huddle and (31-year-old receiver Michael) Crabtree isn’t out there, I feel like I’m a dinosaur.”With a victory over Cleveland (7-7-1) on Sunday, the Ravens will win the division for the first time since 2012 and end a three-year playoff drought. Baltimore (9-6) put itself in this position with a 22-10 upset over the Chargers last Saturday.After the Ravens fell behind 13-10 in the third quarter, Jackson and Andrews connected on a 68-yard touchdown pass to put Baltimore ahead for good. Brown helped with the pass protection and Hurst ran an underneath route that helped Andrews get open.“It was awesome. You dream of plays like that, especially as a rookie,” Andrews said Wednesday. “Lamar threw an incredible ball. Right over the linebacker, right in stride. It really made my job easy. And the blocking up front was great.”Edwards did his part with a 92-yard rushing performance http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-gardner-minshew-ii-jersey , upping his total to 578 since taking over for injured Alex Collins on the same day Jackson stepped in as a starter.Hurst has yet to live up to his potential as the 25th overall pick, in part because he had foot surgery over the summer and got off to a slow start. But as a group, the Ravens rookies deserve high marks.“Very talented guys, and they’ve worked really hard,” coach John Harbaugh said. “They’ve earned their way into the starting lineup and have maintained that position by playing well. The rookie class has done a really good job.”The 6-foot-8, 345-pound Brown played a reserve role over the first six weeks before getting his first NFL start on Oct. 21. The former Oklahoma standout has started every game since.“He’s definitely doing really well. I’m proud of him,” Yanda said. “He’s kept his head down and keeps grinding. It hasn’t been too big or too much for him. I respect that.”The final draft by general manager Ozzie Newsome, who will retire after the season, began with Hurst before a trade landed Jackson. Brown and Andrews followed as third-rounders before Newsome selected cornerback Anthony Averett and linebacker Kenny Young, both of whom subsequently made their mark on special teams.Sixth-round pick Bradley Bozeman has played 13 games on the offensive line with one start.A year ago, the Ravens needed only to beat Cincinnati in the season finale to reach the playoffs. The situation this year is eerily similar, and the hope all along has been that the newcomers would help Baltimore clear the final obstacle.“Right away the older guys Christian Wilkins Jersey , and even us, saw we could have an impact on this team,” said Andrews, who has 30 catches for 498 yards and three scores. “They were close last year. They were one game away, and they brought us in here to win this last game.”The rookies gathered in spring to begin the process. Three draft picks —safety DeShon Elliott, tackle Greg Senat and receiver Jaleel Scott — are on injured reserve. The rest could be playing football into February.“We got here like May 3 and I feel like we’ve been here forever,” Brown said. “It’s been a grind.Next year should be easier, and the hope is that the rookies will benefit from the experience.“We aren’t playing our best football as a group. That’s still years down the road,” Brown said. “But it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to go out there and play on Sundays.”