For the ninth time in the last 10 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced this past March that Clayton Kershaw would be their starting pitcher on Opening Day.
Unfortunately, Kershaw has yet to make that start due to the season being put on hold because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As can be expected, he has remained in shape for whenever baseball announced its return.
That came this week with players agreeing to report for Spring Training 2.0 on July 1. Opening Day is set for a few weeks later on July 23 or 24, and if Kershaw is healthy, he likely still will be getting the ball for L.A.
Kershaw must get his arm in game shape first though, and he revealed in an interview on Ross Stripling’s “Big Swing Podcast,” that he has begun throwing live batting practice at Dallas Baptist, although the results haven’t been great:
“Started working out and throwing like a normal offseason, and then the last month I’ve been throwing bullpens. This past week I threw my third live BP. I go to DBU, which is a great baseball school — it’s called Dallas Baptist. Great baseball school, the coach is awesome, and there’s some guys that played there and are now in the Minor Leagues, and they hit against us.
“I threw two innings last week and I was exhausted. … I’m getting shelled, Strip. I’m getting absolutely shelled. These guys are hitting missiles off me right and left. It’s very humbling.”
Kershaw still has plenty of time to throw the necessary amount of bullpens and live BPs in order to be ready for Opening Day, so results aren’t really of much concern right now.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also revealed his starters will likely only throw four or five innings the first turn through the rotation as well. Meaning, Kershaw and the other pitchers won’t be rushed as they built up for a shortened season.
That is especially important for Kershaw, who has dealt with a number of arm and back injuries in the last few years. He should be able to benefit from a shortened season, hopefully going into the postseason with a fresh arm as the Dodgers pursue their first championship since 1988.
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