Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivered disconcerting news prior to Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, revealing Clayton Kershaw was scheduled to travel to Los Angeles to have his back examined.
It was reported on Monday that Kershaw received treatment for discomfort in his lower back. That was the day after he labored through a start, allowing four runs on nine hits to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
All four runs Kershaw allowed came in the second inning, he finished with just four strikeouts, and the outing tied for his shortest this season. He was scheduled to next pitch on Friday against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
However, according to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, Kershaw received an epidural and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list:
Clayton Kershaw received an epidural yesterday. He is going on the DL.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) June 30, 2016
The epidural was used as a pain reliever and the specifics of Kershaw’s back trouble are not yet known, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Roberts has no diagnosis. Epidural to relieve pain in lower back.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 30, 2016
What’s more, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t certain Kershaw will return after the 15 days spent on the DL:
Roberts uncertain if Kershaw will be ready after 15 days.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 30, 2016
While the timing is never right for an injury, particularly for a player of Kershaw’s caliber and importance, there may be a silver lining. Should Kershaw manage to return once eligible to be reinstated, he would have missed just two starts.
The Dodgers could also alter the order of their rotation coming out of the break, providing Kershaw with even more rest. The only time Kershaw has been placed on the DL was in 2014 when he missed five weeks early in the year due to a teres major strain (upper back).
Kershaw this season is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 1.67 FIP and 0.73 WHIP. He leads the Majors in ERA, complete games (three), complete-game shutouts (three), innings pitched (121) and strikeouts (145), among other categories.
