Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has encountered an unexpected setback in his road to recovery following shoulder surgery last November. The veteran left-hander, who recently embarked on a rehabilitation program, has been sidelined due to “lingering soreness,” causing concern among the Dodgers’ faithful.
Kershaw's Recovery Journey
Kershaw, who had his glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder repaired, made his first rehab start not long ago. During that outing, he managed to throw 36 pitches across three innings, signaling hope for a swift return. A follow-up rehab start was scheduled for Tuesday, yet the sore shoulder forced an abrupt halt to his progress. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts commented on the development, stating, "This is part of the process as far as anyone that goes through rehab, that goes through a surgery, and is on his way back."
Despite the interruption, an MRI revealed no new structural damage, which provides a glimpse of optimism for both Kershaw and the Dodgers. However, Kershaw has been instructed to cease throwing for at least a week before he can attempt to resume his throwing program. “It's not surprising. It's not perfect, but it's not surprising in the fact that there is a little bit of a regression in the throwing process,” Roberts added.
Dodgers' Pitching Woes
The Dodgers, who currently boast a 48-31 record and an 8.5-game lead in the NL West, have had their pitching staff beset with injuries throughout the season. Starting the season with Walker Buehler on the injured list set a daunting tone that has persisted. Bobby Miller endured a lengthy stint on the injured list too, reducing the depth of the bullpen early in the campaign.
Kershaw, alongside fellow starting pitchers Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, has been absent for the entirety of the year, creating a vacuum in the rotation that has been hard to fill. The recent addition of Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the injured list only exacerbates the situation, putting additional strain on the team’s pitching resources.
Looking Ahead
For Kershaw to be activated to the big-league roster, he needs to demonstrate the capability to complete at least five innings and throw around 75 pitches. Achieving this benchmark will be critical for the Dodgers as they navigate a season rife with injury challenges. Kershaw, known for his resilience and competitive spirit, will be working meticulously to meet these criteria in time for a potential August return.
The Dodgers are keenly aware that getting Kershaw back on the mound will provide a significant boost as they aim to maintain their lead in the division and make a deep postseason run. While the road has been fraught with challenges, the silver lining is the team’s current standing, which offers a cushion as they await the return of their ace.
Dodgers fans and management alike will be closely monitoring Kershaw’s recovery process over the coming weeks. His eventual return could very well be a pivotal moment for the Dodgers, reinvigorating their pitching rotation and lending a seasoned arm for the crucial stretch ahead.