Clayton Kershaw took a step forward in his recovery from shoulder inflammation by making a rehab start on Opening Day for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the plan called for Kershaw to complete four innings or go 60 pitches.
The left-hander got through four frames on 56 pitches, and wound up facing the leadoff man in the fifth before exiting. Kershaw endured a bit of a rocky first start of 2019, allowing two runs on four hits, including a homer. He did record six strikeouts.
Kershaw was pleased with being able to get off the mound and surmised that although it wasn’t necessarily his preference, that a second rehab start would be in the cards.
He reunited with the Dodgers for the start of their road trip, but Roberts confirmed Kershaw will indeed continue with his rehab assignment, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Dave Roberts said Kershaw will make another rehab start as the next step, no decision whether it will be OKC or Tulsa.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) April 6, 2019
Logistics figures to be one potential factor in determining which affiliate Kershaw will pitch for. Triple-A Oklahoma City will be on the road in Omaha, while a start for Double-A Tulsa would be at home.
Beyond simply needing to continue shaking off any rust, the purpose of a second rehab start would be for Kershaw to build his innings base and pitch count. By remaining in the Minors for another outing, he would be capable of throwing upwards of 100 pitches in a first start for the Dodgers.
The club has not outlined a timeline, but Kershaw remaining on turn would potentially have him coming off the 10-day injured list on Sunday, April 14.
