The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with injuries to several areas of their roster in 2018. The team’s starting rotation has been hit particularly hard. Four of five pitchers who were part of the Opening Day rotation are currently on the disabled list, including ace Clayton Kershaw.
However, the Dodgers have stunningly climbed back up to .500 after early struggles. They are also getting some good news for their injured starters. Kenta Maeda is expected to return Wednesday, Rich Hill might not be far behind, and the same could possibly be said for Kershaw.
The Dodgers ace last pitched on May 31, exiting after only five innings when he suffered a lower back strain. That resulted in his third disabled list stint with a back injury in as many years.
Kershaw had already missed four weeks in May with bicep tendinitis. Since his return to the DL, Kershaw and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts have both maintained that the latest back injury is similar to what set in last season, not the herniated disc trouble.
It’s a notion supported by the fact that Kershaw already started playing catch again. Additionally, Roberts said a bullpen session is on the horizon, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
Clayton Kershaw, out since June 1 because of a back strain, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session “soon,” Roberts said. There is no timetable for his return, he said, although Kershaw is not expected to need a minor league rehabilitation assignment. “Knowing we have close to four months left in the season, and to have Clayton feel really good about the way things are going, I’m excited,” Roberts said.
Kershaw has not needed a rehab assignment since 2016, when his back injury was much worse. Therefore, bullpen sessions and simulated games will be the best markers of how he is progressing.
Kershaw completed a simulated game prior to coming off the disabled list earlier this season That he will throw a bullpen session soon is definitely a positive sign.
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