Although the Los Angeles Dodgers have become adept to remaining afloat — if not still excelling — while Clayton Kershaw has recovered from injury, this year marked the first time he was not on the Opening Day roster.
With that, Kershaw’s franchise-record streak of consecutive starts on Opening Day was snapped at eight. After throwing multiple bullpen sessions and simulated games, the three-time Cy Young Award winner began a rehab assignment.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts surmised Kershaw would make multiple starts prior to returning, and the left-hander ventured to guess that was next after going 4.1 innings in an outing for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
After weighing their options, it was determined Kershaw’s second rehab start would come with Double-A Tulsa rather than for Oklahoma City in a road game. Assuming Kershaw gets through Tuesday without issue, he’ll then join the Dodgers on Sunday or Monday, per Pedro Moura of The Athletic:
It sounds like after his tussle tomorrow in Tulsa, Clayton Kershaw will start Sunday against Milwaukee or next Monday against Yasi Puig and the Reds.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 8, 2019
Coming off the 10-day injured list Sunday would put Kershaw on regular rest, whereas delaying it to Monday would give him an extra day before making his regular-season debut. Whenever the 31-year-old does return, it will push Julio Urias into the bullpen.
With Kershaw looking to stretch to six innings or 90 pitches on Tuesday, it will leave him in better position to avoid a potential short first start back for the Dodgers. Not taxing the bullpen was a factor he considered in electing to continue his rehab assignment.
