The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a pair of key starting pitchers last month as Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw both landed on the 15-day injured list.
Glasnow has been sidelined since Aug. 16 due to right elbow tendinitis and initially got off to a slow start in his recovery. The right-hander was scratched from playing catch last week but managed to throw off flat ground on back-to-back days at Chase Field.
Glasnow has continued throwing and is set to toss a bullpen session this weekend.
“He played catch today, and as I understand it, this weekend, he’s supposed to get off the mound and throw a ‘pen. So I’m really encouraged about that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Glasnow and the Dodgers have both expressed confidence that he will be able to return by the end of the regular season. With just three weeks remaining, however, there is not much room for error.
Glasnow may need to throw multiple bullpen sessions before advancing to facing hitters. That could come in the form of a simulated game, but Roberts noted Glasnow will also need to make at least one rehab start.
“He’s going to have to make a rehab start. I just can’t see any world that he wouldn’t,” Roberts said.
Aside from his latest elbow trouble, Glasnow missed some time earlier this year because of lower back tightness. That prevented him from pitching in his first career All-Star Game.
When healthy, Glasnow has proven to be the frontline-caliber starter that the Dodgers envisioned when they acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays.
In 22 starts this season, he owns a 9-6 record with a 3.49 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 0.95 WHIP and 11.3 strikeouts per nine over 134 innings pitched.
Tyler Glasnow ahead of Clayton Kershaw
As for Kershaw, Roberts added that there is nothing new to report on Kershaw’s recovery from a bone spur in his left big toe.
“He came out earlier today and did his catch play. Nothing really new,” Roberts said.
Kershaw is wearing a walking boot to help bring down some of the swelling in his left big toe. Roberts previously said that the team is waiting for that to dissipate before giving a potential timeline on the left-hander’s return.
Kershaw is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 30 innings pitched across seven starts this season. As it currently stands, it would be the first time since his rookie season in 2008 that he finishes with an ERA above 4.00.
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!
