Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been forced to spend time on the disabled list in each of the last three seasons, although this year it was due to bicep tendonitis, not a back injury.
Kershaw has not pitched since May 1 due to the arm trouble, but luckily he avoided a more serious injury and did not require surgery. An MRI determined Kershaw’s elbow and shoulder were still in good standing.
A return could be just around the corner for the 30-year-old, as he has been throwing bullpen sessions the last couple weeks to build his arm strength back up.
On Saturday, Kershaw faced live hitters for the first time since being put on the DL. He was joined in the session by Rich Hill, who is working his way back from a blister issue. The pair of lefties faced Austin Barnes, Cody Bellinger, Kiké Hernandez and Chase Utley in the simulated game at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw threw 60 pitches over four innings and came out of it feeling ready to return from the disabled list and make a start for the Dodgers, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Kershaw said he “felt good” during the 60-pitch test and “should be” ready to pitch in a game five days from now.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then confirmed on Sunday morning that there’s a good chance Kershaw starts Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Clayton Kershaw starting Thursday for the Dodgers is “viable,” Dave Roberts said.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 27, 2018
The other option for Kershaw would have been to go out on a rehab assignment, although with the starting rotation currently in shambles with three starters out, it made more sense to just throw him back into the fire in a Major League game. Couple that with Kershaw historically not being a fan of completing a rehab assignment.
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