Clayton Kershaw pitched a gem for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, going six innings while giving up just one hit. However, he was removed from the game at just 79 pitches and only two strikeouts.
Kershaw signaled to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts that he was done for the night following the sixth inning, which caused worry that the left-hander may have been dealing with an injury.
After the game, Kershaw downplayed any injury concerns, saying he just didn’t feel great and that he believed he would be alright moving forward.
On Wednesday, Roberts said Kershaw is still feeling well enough to avoid the 15-day injured list, via SportsNet LA:
“He feels good, so I think probably Friday or Saturday, he’s going to play catch and then we’ll see if he makes his next start. Right now where it stands, that’s the plan.”
Kershaw did not undergo an MRI and no details have been provided on what the future Hall of Famer is dealing with, but Roberts reiterated the longtime ace is in good health:
“I’m planning on him making his next start, until I hear otherwise. From the training staff, he checked out. He feels good. Like I said, he’s going to play catch on Friday and if continues to feel good he’s going to pitch. … No MRI. Just doctor kind of checking him out and making sure everything is working appropriately. There was no MRI.”
Kershaw has a long history of back injuries and he was put on the injured list twice last season because of the recurring trouble. The 35-year-old previously acknowledged back trouble is something he needs to manage, but he felt confident about having a grasp on it.
One of the few details Roberts has been willing to give is ruling out a back injury as what’s ailing Kershaw.
To this point, Kershaw is the only member of the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation who has not been put on the IL this season.
Justin Bruihl on Dodgers taxi squad if Clayton Kershaw needs IL stint
Despite some of the optimism with Kershaw’s status, the Dodgers added Justin Bruihl to their taxi squad in the event Kershaw needs to go on the IL.
Bruihl is 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 14 games for the Dodgers this season. He’s 4-0 with one save, a 1.23 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 12 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
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