UPDATE (April 29, 1:55 p.m. PT): Clayton Kershaw is not making his scheduled start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday due to inclement weather in the forecast.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are likely to activate Tony Gonsolin off the injured list for his first start of the season on Wednesday, and the weeks to come could bring the returns of Blake Snell and Clayton Kershaw as well.
Kershaw began the season on the 15-day injured list when the Dodgers set their Opening Day roster for the Tokyo Series. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL the following day as one of the two corresponding moves to the Dodgers selecting the contract of Matt Sauer.
That was to be expected as Kershaw remained on the mend from left toe and knee surgeries he had during the offseason. He has made steady progress in the recovery and began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 16.
Kershaw’s second start came with Double-A Tulsa, but he’s now poised to rejoin the Comets for a third overall rehab outing.
“He is going to throw Tuesday. It’ll be five innings, five and 75 (pitches), something like that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And as I understand it, if it goes well, he’ll probably go shorter on regular (rest) on Sunday and then we’ll see from there.
“He’s in a good spot.”
Kershaw moved his rehab assignment to pitching for the Drillers last week partly due to the Comets playing through chilly temperatures in Salt Lake City and there was a potential for inclement weather.
Kershaw’s second start of the year with Oklahoma City is going to come at Chickasaw Brockton Ballpark, against the El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres affiliate).
The 37-year-old was generally pleased with the start of his rehab assignment and doubled his pitch count in the outing for the Drillers.
That saw Kershaw throw 60 pitches as he completed three innings. Kershaw pitched into the fourth inning but issued a leadoff walk and allowed a single before exiting the game.
When will Clayton Kershaw pitch for Dodgers?
Kershaw is eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list on Saturday, May 17. He appears to be ahead of schedule from an initial estimate of returning around June.
Kershaw made just seven starts last season before his year was cut short due to injury. He went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 3.53 FIP and 1.50 WHIP in 30 innings pitched. It was the first time since his rookie season in 2008 that Kershaw finished with an ERA above 4.00.
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