Clayton Kershaw cleared another hurdle this past Saturday as he threw his first simulated game since the Los Angeles Dodgers placed him on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder soreness.
Kershaw logged three innings without issue, which came three days after he threw a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium.
“I think it was a good step,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It was good to see him get up and down three times. That was a positive.
“I thought the fastball was fine, slider was fine. I think the curveball wasn’t sharp, but the main thing was to see how it looked as far as getting him up and down a few times. So we accomplished what we wanted to.”
Leading up to Kershaw facing batters, it was considered possible the exercise would be a final checkpoint before he was activated off the IL. However, after a discussion between Roberts, Kershaw and the Dodgers training, it was decided he would face batters a second time.
“I think Thursday is the date as far as he’s going to throw to hitters,” Roberts said. “And then potentially in Arizona, we’ll have a conversation about activating him.”
Kershaw said he has been asymptomatic for a while, and Roberts confirmed that is still the case. In having the longtime ace pitch in another simulated game, it allows for Kershaw to continue building up and thus be in position to provide the Dodgers with at least five innings in his return.
Dodgers deferred to Clayton Kershaw for decision
While the Dodgers wanted to ensure Kershaw remained healthy after pitching to batters, they otherwise were content in allowing the 35-year-old to dictate what the next step would be.
“I think a lot of it is kind of Clayton just being honest with how he feels,” Roberts said before it was decided Kershaw would take the mound in a second simulated game.
“I think given his track record, the respect we have for him, and just trust that. I don’t know the answer yet, but I do believe, like I’ve said all along, he’s going to drive this.”
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