Days after Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named Clayton Kershaw the club’s Opening Day starter for a ninth consecutive year, the left-handed ace was excused from a workout at Camelback Ranch because of frustration.
It later became known that stemmed from Kershaw’s performance in a live batting practice and bullpen session that followed. As more details came to light, it was revealed Kershaw was suffering from inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
He was shut down for several days as the team awaited for anti-inflammatory medication to take effect. Kershaw eventually resumed playing catch and built up bullpen sessions and more recently simulated games.
He’s now set to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City in what is their Opening Day of the 2019 season. According to Ron Cervenka of Think Blue LA, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday’s outing likely won’t be the last of Kershaw’s rehab assignment:
Doc expects Kershaw to go 4/60 tomorrow at OKC and possibly a 5th in the bullpen. He said they expect him to do a second rehab start and will evaluate after that.
— Ron Cervenka (@Think_BlueLA) April 3, 2019
Kershaw historically has not been fond of using the Minors for a rehab start, but said he was looking forward to Thursday because it would afford him a first taste of an actual game setting this year. That being said, it’s reasonable to expect the three-time Cy Young Award winner will attempt to lobby his way back into the rotation next week.
If the Dodgers stick to a second rehab start for their ace, Kershaw presumably would not return from the 10-day injured list until April 14.
