The Los Angeles Dodgers had a busy night on Friday with their 2-1 victory in extras against the New York Yankees, but elsewhere in the organization, they had a couple of starters continue their rehabilitation process.
The most exciting news to come out of the day was Bobby Miller’s third rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City in which he pitched into the fifth inning and alleviated the concerns about his fastball velocity from his previous start. In total, Miller threw 85 pitches, gave up four hits and one earned run.
Clayton Kershaw was with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, completing his second simulated game. While he is not nearly as close to returning as Miller, Kershaw is currently seen as being ahead of schedule in terms of his rehab process.
Both players’ assignments were a success, and Miller could return for his next start, while Kershaw is moving closer to a rehab assignment, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Some Dodgers injury updates, per Dave Roberts
–– Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to throw another three-inning sim game, then could be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment
–– Bobby Miller could be ready to return after pitching 4+ innings in a rehab outing with OKC last…
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) June 8, 2024
While Miller’s return is not set in stone, he could be on his way back to the Major League roster, and it brings up an interesting scenario that the Dodgers have been avoiding for some time.
The Dodgers have been utilizing a six-man rotation all season, but have been doing so with bullpen games and off days acting as the sixth starter. Now, when Miller does inevitably make his return, it seems as if the Dodgers are at least willing to entertain the idea of having six starters in the rotation.
The next step for Kershaw is going to be another sim game with the possibility of going out on a rehab assignment in the Minors after that.
It is not a far-fetched idea considering that Kershaw recently saw an uptick in velocity on his fastball during Friday’s sim game.
Dodgers bullpen piece on rehab assignment
Miller was not the only Dodgers pitcher completing a rehab assignment with Oklahoma City that night as Kyle Hurt made his first appearance in a game since April 16. He is recovering from right shoulder inflammation that landed him on the injured list back on April 17.
Hurt allowed one earned run and had two strikeouts in 0.2 innings pitched.
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