LOS ANGELES — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been cleared to play catch as he rehabilitates from mild disk herniation.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Kershaw has been exercising and his latest clearance is "exciting and encouraging."

But Roberts says the team will keep a close eye on Kershaw because "he'll want to push it as much as he possibly can."

Kershaw went on the DL last Friday, ensuring that he will miss next week's All-Star game in San Diego. The left-hander is 11-2 with a major league-leading 1.79 ERA in 16 starts. He is second in the majors with 145 strikeouts.

Kershaw is on the DL for just the second time in his career.