Kershaw Hits Roadblock in Recovery, Dodgers’ Rotation Woes Deepen
In an unexpected setback for the Los Angeles Dodgers, left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw has hit a significant roadblock in his recovery following shoulder surgery. Already having made one rehab start and poised for another on Tuesday, Kershaw has now been sidelined due to lingering soreness in his shoulder.
Manager Dave Roberts provided some insight into the situation, 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." While acknowledging the setback as part of the recovery process, Roberts added, "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."
An MRI scan has fortunately revealed no new incidents, but the decision has been made to keep Kershaw from throwing for at least a week as he attempts to ramp up his rehabilitation again. The surgery, which took place last November, addressed issues with the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder. In his initial rehab outing, Kershaw managed to pitch three innings and threw 36 pitches, a promising start that has since been complicated by this recent soreness.
For the Dodgers to seriously consider activating Kershaw to the big-league roster, he would need to be capable of pitching at least five innings and throwing around 75 pitches. Given the current circumstances, a return in August remains a possibility, albeit contingent on how well Kershaw responds to the modified recovery timetable.
Injury-Plagued Pitching Staff
Kershaw's setback is the latest in a series of injuries that have beleaguered the Dodgers' pitching staff this season. Walker Buehler, a key component of their rotation, started the season on the injured list, and fellow pitchers Bobby Miller, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin have all spent significant time sidelined as well. Most recently, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was also added to the list of injured pitchers, compounding the Dodgers' challenges on the mound.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have maintained a strong performance overall, holding a 48-31 record as of Monday. This has positioned them with a comfortable 8.5-game lead in the NL West. However, the cumulative effect of these injuries poses a significant challenge for the team as they aim to maintain their dominance and push toward the postseason.
While the team has demonstrated resilience, the health of their pitching staff remains a critical concern. The road to recovery for Kershaw, who is pivotal to the Dodgers' success, will be closely monitored in the weeks to come. The team and its fans are hopeful that this is just a minor setback in what has otherwise been a commendable journey back to the mound for the veteran left-hander.
As the second half of the season approaches, the Dodgers will need to navigate these hurdles with careful management and strategic reinforcements, ensuring that their rotation is stabilized for the crucial games ahead. For now, the focus remains on the steady and cautious rehabilitation of Clayton Kershaw, a process that is as familiar as it is fraught for the storied pitcher and his team.