Ahead of Saturday night’s matchup with the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reinstated Clayton Kershaw from the 10-day disabled list and optioned Adam Liberatore to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Kershaw last pitched on May 31, which was his first start back after battling through bicep tendinitis. He lasted just five innings in that outing though before going back on the disabled list with a back strain.
This is not the first back injury Kershaw has dealt with as his back has given him trouble in each of the last three seasons. This one didn’t appear to be as serious though with him only missing three weeks, something that he does not have an explanation for.
Kershaw was originally supposed to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, but the Dodgers changed their plans and decided to pitch him in a big league game because rain was in the forecast in Omaha.
In eight starts so far this season, Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.76 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.12 WHIP while striking out 53 and walking 11 in 49 innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would not put a limit on how much Kershaw is expected to throw on Saturday, although considering he hasn’t seen game action in three weeks he likely won’t go more than four or five innings. He will be matched up with Mets ace and perhaps the best pitcher in all of baseball right now, Jacob deGrom.
Liberatore has appeared in 17 games for the Dodgers this season, posting a 2.77 ERA, 4.33 FIP and 1.39 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and eight walks in 13 innings. He has been back and forth between the big leagues and Oklahoma City a lot this season, so he likely will be back up at some point.
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