Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw's path to recovery has hit an unexpected snag following shoulder surgery. What started as a promising journey back to the mound has been temporarily halted due to lingering soreness.
Having already completed one rehab start and being scheduled for a second on Tuesday, Kershaw was blindsided by this latest setback. As a result, the veteran pitcher will be shut down for at least a week before attempting to ramp back up. Fortunately, an MRI revealed no new injuries, alleviating concerns of a more severe setback. The surgery, which took place last November, aimed to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder.
In his initial rehab outing, Kershaw managed to pitch three innings, throwing a total of 36 pitches. While these numbers are commendable, the Dodgers have set specific benchmarks for his return to the big-league roster. Kershaw would need to be capable of finishing at least five innings and throwing around 75 pitches before being seriously considered for activation.
In light of these developments, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered a reassuring perspective. "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," Roberts stated. He added, "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."
Given the current timeline, Kershaw's return is now projected to be sometime in August, much to the anticipation of Dodgers fans eager to see their star pitcher back in action. Kershaw's health is of paramount importance to a Dodgers pitching staff that has been significantly impacted by injuries this season.
The Dodgers' pitching woes began with Walker Buehler starting the season on the injured list. Since then, Bobby Miller, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin have all endured lengthy stints on the injured list, with May and Gonsolin spending the entirety of the year sidelined. Recently, the team also saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto being added to the growing list of injured pitchers.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have managed to maintain a strong position within the league. As of Monday, the team boasts a 48-31 record and holds an 8.5-game lead in the NL West, a testament to their resilience and depth.
With Kershaw and other key pitchers working towards their returns, the Dodgers are cautiously optimistic about their prospects for the remainder of the season. The hope is that once Kershaw is fully rehabilitated and cleared to play, his presence will provide a significant boost to the rotation, potentially aiding the Dodgers in their pursuit of postseason success.
For now, all eyes will be on Kershaw's recovery process, with fans and teammates eagerly awaiting each update. His journey back to the mound, while currently paused, remains a critical storyline for the Dodgers as they navigate the latter part of their season.