The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have a full rotation’s worth of pitchers on the disabled list, led by ace Clayton Kershaw and including Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood.
Anders, Kazmir, Kershaw and McCarthy all participated in a simulated game on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Naturally, Kershaw’s health has garnered the majority of attention as the Dodgers eagerly await his return.
Kershaw completed his workload without issue and is next expected to go out on a rehab assignment. While Kershaw will continue to garner headlines, the Dodgers would undoubtably benefit from their other starts making a successful return.
Manager Dave Roberts said Kazmir is ahead in his recovery when compared to Anderson and McCarthy.
That being said, Anderson was pleased with his progress and performance in the simulated game, via Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider:
“Everything’s good — better than the last two times I was on the mound,” Anderson said. “My arm strength and stuff feel about the same. My pitches are doing what I want them to do, because I don’t have to worry about a blister, so I’d say it’s probably about 90-95 percent back. It might be a little bit tender tomorrow because of the friction and heat and stuff, but I should throw my normal bullpen in two or three days and then expect it to be 100 percent going forward after that.”
It has been a rough year for Anderson as he began the season on the disabled list after undergoing back surgery during Spring Training. He made his debut on Aug. 14, but lasted just one inning as he suffered a mild left wrist sprain on an attempt to field a ground ball.
Anderson didn’t miss his next start, but ended up having to be removed in the fourth inning due to the blister. Anderson later said it was an issue he dealt with since his final rehab start.
