Last week the Los Angeles Dodgers made a decision to swap Brandon McCarthy and Clayton Kershaw in the starting rotation. That left Kershaw to face the San Diego Padres on Saturday, with McCarthy pushed back to Sunday.
McCarthy never got the opportunity to start, because the series finale at Petco Park was rained out and postponed to September.
The change, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained at the time, was in response to McCarthy “tweaking” his non-throwing shoulder in the weight room. On Monday, McCarthy revealed he dislocated the shoulder doing a kettlebell exercise.
In addition to skipping McCarthy’s turn in the rotation in favor of Alex Wood on Monday, the Dodgers placed the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list. That left the 33-year-old visibly frustrated.
“The shoulder is fine, everything feels good,” McCarthy said. “They’re just making a decision to work around and use the spot to take a break, I guess.
“I was ready to start Saturday or Sunday. I was ready to pitch [Monday]. It kind of lines up on their end now, with the rainout, they can shuffle things around and buy me some extra time.”
That McCarthy proclaimed himself healthy enough to start didn’t come as a surprise to Roberts. “I appreciate the fact that he wants to pitch and feels like he can pitch,” the second-year manager said.
“For him to be confident in making the start, I think that’s great. As an organization to look forward, and give him a few extra days, it’s best for all of us. I know he’s probably frustrated, and I understand that.”
Roberts expects McCarthy to start during the three-game series with the San Francisco Giants next week at AT&T Park. Whether that will be May 15, 16 or 17, isn’t yet determined.
McCarthy’s return is pending successfully getting through a simulated game on Wednesday. A rehab start isn’t on the docket.
Ultimately, the Dodgers felt it best to err on the side of caution. Roberts noted the possibility of McCarthy aggravating the shoulder while attempting to field a comebacker or bunt to his left.
The more time the shoulder is allowed to heal, the lower the probability of that occurring. “Each day (of rest) is a benefit, as I understand it,” Roberts said.
