Clayton Kershaw in line to start Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday and is prepared to start this Friday against the Colorado Rockies, according to a tweet by Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Kershaw, who has been out indefinitely with a right hip injury, was examined by a hip specialist, Dr. Bryan Kelly in New York, who diagnosed the hurler with an impingement of his right hip. He was cleared to start throwing again, but the Dodgers were waiting to see if pain persisted.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told the media he wanted to discuss with GM Ned Colletti before making any official announcements, but Kershaw threw pain-free and there would be no obstacles for his return this weekend.

Mattingly said the decision on Kershaw would depend on the Dodgers' position in the standings. Los Angeles is currently 3½ games below the San Francisco Giants in the NL West Division.