Clayton Kershaw is getting closer to rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation.
The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner He pitched two innings of a simulated game Sunday at Dodger Stadium. His performance was encouraging enough that Kershaw will pitch in a rehab start Saturday, likely for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
“It was good to see him go two innings,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the pitching session. “We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish.”
The rehab start will be Kershaw’s second since recovering from surgery to repair the capsule of his left shoulder and ligaments around the ball and socket joint in November. The left-hander pitched three innings for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on June 19, but suffered lingering soreness after the start and was unable to play.
“Just a little old man’s shoulder.” He told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Asked last week what had happened, he said: “There is some wear and tear, but nothing new.”
After beginning rehab, Kershaw underwent an MRI that showed no damage to his left shoulder, met with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, and received “Some shots” to reduce pain.
Kershaw, 36, started 24 games for the Dodgers last season, his 16th year in MLB, struck out 137 batters in 131 2/3 innings and compiled a 2.46 ERA. With Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler on the injured list, Dustin May’s status for the season in doubt and Tony Gonsolin needing reconstructive elbow surgery, Kershaw’s return would be welcome.
Even though Kershaw has a 7 1/2-game lead in the NL West, he and the Dodgers can be patient with the recovery timeline. The team insists that a return in late July or early August was always the goal, meaning Kershaw is on schedule.
However, Kershaw sounds like someone who is tired of the rehab process.
“I’m not going to be happy until I can get back out there,” he told reporters.
“You don’t feel like you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing,” he added. “Even though it was part of the deal with the surgery, you knew you’d be out for a while, now that you’re closer and you’re getting closer and you’re testing the possibility of being back out there, every day it gets a little bit more tedious.”