While the Los Angeles Dodgers recently saw the returns of Logan Forsythe and Justin Turner from the disabled list, one key player in Clayton Kershaw remains sidelined with left biceps tendinitis.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has been out of action since the first week of May, but has already resumed participating in baseball-related activities. He took the first step in his recovery by initially playing catch from 60 feet.
Kershaw maintained that distance for a week before recently upping the distance over recent days. That left Dodgers manager Dave Roberts feeling optimistic with the progress that has been made, via Glenn Sattell of MLB.com:
“He threw the ball really well,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He ramped up the intensity. It’s encouraging the progress he’s made. I’m not sure what the plan is for tomorrow. He may be off tomorrow. But today was really good.”
While it’s promising that Kershaw is playing catch without experiencing any setbacks, a timetable on his return to the mound is still unclear.
Kershaw is expected to gradually continue increasing his throwing distance in the coming weeks before pitching off a mound. Roberts doesn’t foresee that happening anytime soon, as the Dodgers are understandably being cautious with their ace.
The organization certainly doesn’t want to rush Kershaw back, given his recent injury history and importance to the team. It’s vital he returns to full health before taking the mound again in order to avoid re-aggravating the injury.
With the Dodgers’ starting rotation being thin due to injuries, Walker Buehler and Ross Stripling have received extended looks for the time being.
