The Los Angeles Dodgers are again in a spot where starting pitching is at an absolute premium in the latter portion of the regular season. Among those injured arms, Clayton Kershaw remains out with a bone spur causing inflammation in his left big toe.
He was taken out of his last start after just one inning, allowing three earned runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw’s injury forced him into a spot where he couldn’t properly push off the mound.
Kershaw has since taken some time to let his left toe to heal, including a walking boot around the time it flared up. The 17-year veteran lefty stated he’s been doing all he can to stay ready as his injury gets to a manageable point, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Because, I really do – my body feels great. Shoulder, back, everything feels really good,” Kershaw said Monday afternoon. “It’s just that last little bit. If you can’t push off, you can’t create what you need to create. So I have to find a way to be able to push off.
“So yeah, it’s super frustrating, especially where we’re at as a team. But I still have some hope that I’ll be able to be in the conversation (for the postseason roster). That’s the goal right now.”
A trial and error period for Kershaw is likely where he’s at, and something that he’s noted is how he’ll most effectively get himself back on the mound for the Dodgers:
“Right now, I’m just trying everything to try and take the pressure off of it, to keep my arm going as best I can,” Kershaw said. “Trying to find different cleats that work, different shoes that work, different angles of my foot that work. Throwing off the mound, that turf mound, felt a little better today. So I feel like I’m doing enough to keep my arm going. It’s not there yet to be able to push off for a full game. But it’s getting better.”
The Dodgers are banking on the health of starters currently on the mend to carry the bulk of their postseason starting rotation. Although this would be a scary venture for other teams, the pedigree of those possibly returning is enough to instill a fair amount of optimism.
Kershaw’s availability is up in the air, but his drive and runway left until the postseason is lengthy enough to put him in the general conversation of starters who could pitch in the playoffs.
What’s next for Clayton Kershaw
Aside from what Kershaw laid out, his efficiency in recent months is decent enough to get him by. Against the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, He combined to allow just two earned runs with 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings pitched.
If he is able to find that form, he can be a piece to a rotation. Having to mix the unknown of pitching with an ailing, push-off foot, Kershaw has enough time to get himself in check, remaining an option should the Dodgers have to call on the first ballot Hall of Fame lefty.
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