The number of starting pitchers potentially available for the Los Angeles Dodgers come the postseason has continued to dwindle, and Clayton Kershaw might soon join the group of those unable to return from injury.
Kershaw has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 31 because of left big toe inflammation caused by a bone spur. He continued to play catch from flat ground while wearing a walking boot and shortly after advanced to pitching off a makeshift mound before progressing to actual bullpen sessions.
Despite Kershaw seemingly moving along in his recovery, there is not much optimism for a return.
“We’re in a holding pattern. I don’t think there’s been improvement. I don’t see him facing hitters this week. So right now, I think that’s more on his health and himself,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday.
“I think a holding pattern is somewhat fair. Him not facing hitters this week is going to be pretty telling in itself. So hopefully in the next few days, we’ll get a little bit more clarity on how he’s feeling. … It’s the toe, it’s just the body.
“From what I understand, he’s playing catch today, but there’s something that’s holding him up from progressing to facing hitters. And so for me, for the training staff, I was told that we’re kind of status quo and not moving forward.”
Given the current limitations and Kershaw’s trajectory, he effectively has been ruled out from pitching again during the regular season.
Roberts added Kershaw would continue throwing in order to keep his arm active and in shape, but that did not guarantee being available in October.
The Dodgers already are heading into the postseason without Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone, among a rash of other injuries that mounted throughout the year.
More to Clayton Kershaw’s toe injury?
When previously discussing Kershaw’s injury, Roberts suggested the left big toe issue was more than simply a bone spur causing discomfort and inflammation. That was one reason he viewed the situation different than Freddie Freeman playing through a hairline fracture in his right middle finger.
“You’re talking about first base, doesn’t affect the hitting, the throwing is still limited,” Roberts said. “And then you’re talking about the foot, the toe, the push off, trying to throw 75 to 100 pitches, building the body to then get the hand speed to execute pitches.
“It’s also not just a spur, there’s some, I don’t know if it’s tendons or ligaments. There’s other things going on that I don’t think it’s even close to similar.”
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