By temporarily switching to a six-man starting rotation and benefitting from an off day Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers went into their three-game series against the San Diego Padres with starting pitchers on extra rest.
Kenta Maeda started in the opener at Petco Park on Friday night on six days’ rest. Brandon McCarthy and Clayton Kershaw were to follow suit on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. However, they have now been switched in the rotation.
According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, Kershaw will now take the ball on Saturday because McCarthy tweaked his non-throwing shoulder:
#Dodgers will go with Kershaw tomorrow, McCarthy Sunday. McCarthy "tweaked his shoulder" working in weight room.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) May 6, 2017
By McCarthy still being scheduled to start this weekend, it suggests his malaise is not considered serious. Of course, it’s plausible that McCarthy’s condition could worsen between now and Sunday.
The right-hander has gone 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.21 WHIP McCarthy held the Padres to two runs on four hits in six innings at Dodger Stadium in what was his first start of the season.
Kershaw will take the mound 4-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in six starts. He faced the Padres on Opening Day, throwing seven innings and allowing two runs. Kershaw finished with eight strikeouts and zero walks.
