Clayton Kershaw began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City in efficient fashion, needing just 30 pitches (22 strikes) to get through three innings against the Tacoma Rainiers.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had indicated the plan was for Kershaw to complete two innings. He presumably went beyond that because of having such a low pitch count.
Kershaw threw just five pitches in the first inning and was only at 15 after the second frame. He allowed two baserunners in the outing, both of which came on singles.
There was a one-out single in the first inning that was wiped away when Kershaw induced the next batter into a double play. Rhylan Thomas also had a base hit in the third inning, but that was followed by a force out at second base.
Kershaw struck out two batters and didn’t issue any walks. He went to a three-ball count in the second inning but ended the at-bat with a strikeout on his patented slider.
Kershaw’s fastball velocity topped out at 88.8 mph. That of course is not of much concern or focus for Kershaw or the Dodgers, particularly with Wednesday being his first start of the year.
The Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark also categorized four of Kershaw’s pitches as a splitter, with three of them inducing an out.
Kershaw did more throwing in the bullpen after exiting the game.
He is expected to continuing making rehab starts, with a second outing coming at some point next week. It’s not yet clear if that will be with Oklahoma City or another Dodgers’ Minor League affiliate.
Last year he made one start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and two with Oklahoma City before being activated by the Dodgers.
When will Clayton Kershaw return?
Kershaw recently suggested he would join the Dodgers rotation around June. He’s not eligible to be activated off the 60-day injured list until May 17.
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