The Dodgers reinstated Kershaw (back) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Mets at Citi Field.

Kershaw returns to the Los Angeles rotation after missing just under a month due to lower-back pain. He received an epidural in early August to address the injury and responded well to the injection, as he was cleared to resume a throwing program just under a week later. While Kershaw wasn't sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated, he built up to 70 pitches in a simulated game last weekend. Even so, manager Dave Roberts said he expects Kershaw to be capped at around 4-to-5 innings Thursday, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.