After making his way back from left biceps tendinitis at the end of May, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw soon found himself placed on the disabled list again. This time, with a lower back strain — his third back issue in as many years.
Kershaw has been sidelined with the aforementioned injury since May 31, but he has already resumed participating in baseball-related activities.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner jumpstarted his recovery process by initially playing catch and throwing from long distances. He has since advanced to throwing bullpen sessions, having tossed his first one on Sunday.
Kershaw then threw a lengthier bullpen session on Wednesday, leaving Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman feeling encouraged afterward.
The 30-year-old took the mound for another bullpen session on Friday, successfully completing it without any setbacks. With the continued progress, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Kershaw could next partake in a simulated game or rehab assignment, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
Clayton Kershaw, who has not pitched in two weeks because of a lower back strain, threw a bullpen session Friday. The next step, Roberts said, would be a simulated game or minor league rehabilitation assignment.
While it’s certainly a positive development that Kershaw is inching closer to returning to the Dodgers starting rotation, the club will make sure he’s completely healthy before activating him from the disabled list for the second time this season.
There’s no sense of urgency in rushing Kershaw back to the mound, as the Dodgers’ rotation has more than carried the load in his absence. Furthermore, Los Angeles’ depth is in good standing with the recent returns of two key pitchers.
Kenta Maeda made his way back from the disabled list on Wednesday, tossing five innings pitched against the Texas Rangers. Rich Hill will follow suit on Tuesday and take the mound in the second of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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