fbpx

Dodgers Injury Update: Clayton Kershaw Scheduled For Simulated Game

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their starting rotation ahead of the trade deadline by acquiring Lance Lynn, and although another addition could come before Tuesday, the team is also counting on Clayton Kershaw once he returns from the 15-day injured list.

Having thrown a bullpen session earlier this week, he’ll take another step toward being activated with a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s going to start with an inning, it might be two innings. I just don’t know where it’s going to be,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And I think for us, just getting him to face some hitters is going to be a good thing.

“And once he passes that marker, we’ll have another conversation.”

That discussion likely will be where to slot Kershaw back into the starting rotation. Roberts has maintained a rehab assignment would not be necessary.

Kershaw could return on normal rest for the series finale against the Oakland Athletics. Or the Dodgers could elect to hold him out until the start of their road trip on August 4, which is against the San Diego Padres.

Another factor is when Lynn will make his Dodgers debut. Lynn last started on July 26, and thus the earliest he could take the mound for the Dodgers is their series opener against the A’s on Tuesday.

Kershaw has been on the IL since July 3 (retroactive to June 30) because of a left shoulder injury. Kershaw described it as inflammation days after asking to come out of his start against the Colorado Rockies, but the Dodgers’ official designation for the IL was left shoulder soreness.

Clayton Kershaw overcoming delay

Saturday’s simulated game was originally scheduled for Monday, but the Dodgers decided to instead have that be a bullpen session. However, the team adjusted their plans once again to push it back a day.

Roberts said that stemmed from a matter of logistics, not because of any sort of setback for the veteran.

Kershaw previously dealt with a left shoulder injury in 2014 when he landed on the IL because of a strain, and he was scratched from an Opening Day start in 2019 due to inflammation.

Kershaw is 10-4 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 16 starts this season. He last pitched for L.A. on June 27.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com