After successfully completing a throwing program, bullpen sessions and facing batters during multiple simulated games, Clayton Kershaw took the mound Tuesday night for a third carer rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The outing marked the first official game Kershaw pitched in since the Los Angeles Dodgers placed him on the 10-day injured list July 7 due to left forearm inflammation. An MRI did not reveal any structural damage, but he remained bothered by residual soreness during a first comeback attempt.
Kershaw got through the scheduled three innings of work on 49 pitches, collecting three strikeouts. He allowed a two-run home run and four total hits, which perhaps could easily be attributed to expected rust.
“It felt good getting to be back out there. Felt alright overall, stuff wasn’t that great, but I did it and got through it,” Kershaw said. “We’ll see how I feel [Wednesday] and go from there.”
He’s reuniting with the Dodgers in St. Louis on Wednesday and a decision on what’s to come figures to follow. Kershaw already is eligible to come off the 60-day IL, and a start on normal rest lines him up to face the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“I think that’s a discussion. I’m not sure,” answered Kershaw when asked what was next. “A lot of it is based on our rotation, what things look like, different things like that. I’m obviously not built up for a full start yet, so I think a lot of things are in consideration.
“We’ll see how it goes.”
Shortly after Kershaw completed his outing, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the plan was to “pencil him into the rotation” assuming a bullpen session this week goes well.
Kershaw eyeing October
Should the 33-year-old return for the series finale against the Padres, he presumably would only be stretched out to provide the Dodgers with four or five innings. Of course, that would be an improvement on the array of openers and bullpen games the team has relied on for several weeks.
And even with time in the regular season running short, Kershaw anticipates being back to a full workload come October.
“I mean, ideally I’d love to throw long. I think the reality is that just wasn’t going to happen,” he admitted. “I think with the calendar and things like that, I think by the time October rolls around, I should be up to 100 pitches or so, which is the goal.
“But it’s going to take some work. I’ve got to keep going and keep building. The buildup process is definitely not over yet, for sure.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
