The Los Angeles Dodgers are without Clayton Kershaw for a second time this season due to lower back pain, but he has continued to make progress and could potentially return in the not-too-distant future.
The left-hander has been able to recover well thus far after being administered an epidural on Aug. 5. Kershaw cleared a major hurdle last week as he threw a baseball a handful of times at light intensity.
The future Hall of Famer continued with his throwing program at Kauffman Stadium but did not travel with the Dodgers as their road trip continued against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Kershaw instead has continued to throw at his home in Dallas and will rejoin the Dodgers when they return to L.A. this weekend, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Clayton Kershaw did not travel to Milwaukee with the team. He is continuing his throwing program at home in Texas, then will rejoin the Dodgers when they return to Los Angeles this weekend. The three-time Cy Young Award winner could be ready to start throwing off a mound at some point soon after that.
Kershaw used the same strategy during his first stint on the injured list this season as he rested at his home before throwing a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium and returned to game action shortly after that.
Kershaw previously has dealt with various back injuries during the 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020 seasons. Last year he twice suffered from left forearm/elbow inflammation, with the second instance preventing him from pitching in the postseason.
Kershaw has been effective when healthy, going 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA, 2.71 FIP and 0.98 WHIP in 85.1 innings pitched (15 starts).
Kershaw will be mindful but not limited by back trouble
Earlier this season, Kershaw acknowledged he will likely always have recurring bouts of back pain and hopes it doesn’t affect him late in the season.
Kershaw also noted he doesn’t expect to have to manage his back injury for every start moving forward.
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