Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Disabled List Stint Brings Pain For Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Disabled List Stint Brings Pain For Clayton Kershaw

Matthew Moreno
July 3, 2016
4 Min Read
SHARE

For all the accolades Clayton Kershaw has received throughout his career one that tends to get overlooked is his durability. Since becoming a fixture in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation in 2009, he’s made at least 30 starts each season all but once.

The one season Kershaw didn’t hit the benchmark was in 2014, when he placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Of course, all the left-handed ace proceeded to do that year was win the National League MVP Award and a third Cy Young.

Kershaw now finds himself in a similar situation — on the DL with a back injury — albeit this time around with a lower back issue. Surgery isn’t necessary, but not much is known beyond that.

“I feel a little better now,” said Kershaw on Saturday in his first remarks since being diagnosed with a mild disc herniation. “It’s still a little early to tell (about the effectiveness of an epidural shot), usually it takes three to five days and today is the third day. I think I’m starting to get a little relief.”

Kershaw planned to meet with Dr. Robert Watkins for a follow-up, and admitted to having a plan for himself, though seemingly aware it wouldn’t fall in line with the rehab process doctors presumably will call for.

“I’m going to be very impatient, I’m going to try and pitch tomorrow,” Kershaw said with some sense of frustration. He wasn’t able to pinpoint the reason behind his back pain, calling it a “progression,” and approximated the off-and-on issue was one he dealt with for the past two weeks.

While the natural inclination was to tie his subpar outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates to the back issue, he shot that notion down. “The game Sunday, I felt fine,” Kershaw said.

“Then on Monday it started getting a little worse. It was probably time at that point to get checked out.” He added the pain and general stiffness didn’t affect his pitching once in a game, though conceding getting to the point of making a start was at times challenging.

Kershaw is on pace to shatter Phil Hughes’ strikeout-to-walk ratio, and he leads the Majors in ERA (1.79), ERA+ (219) and complete games, among other categories. Beyond frustration over the injury, it was clearly evident Kershaw is most affected by the impact his absence has on his teammates.

“The DL sucks. There’s no getting around it, it’s awful. It’s worse coming to the field every day,” he said. “Whether it’s true or not, you feel like you let the team down by not pitching. It’s just the way it is.”

At this stage the biggest question mark is determining how long the Dodgers will be without their ace. When asked if he had an idea of how much time he would miss, Kershaw said, “Not that I’m willing to discuss at this time.”

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Clayton KershawLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers News: Jose De Leon Scheduled For Debut Wtih Triple-a Oklahoma City
Dodgers Minor LeaguesDodgers News

Dodgers News: Jose De Leon Throws For First Time Since 2016 Debut

May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
Kenley Jansen
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Reaches 1,000 Career Strikeouts

August 26, 2021
August 26, 2021
Dodger Stadium renovation rendering, center field plaza entrance
Dodgers News

Dodger Stadium $100 Million Renovation Bringing New Center Field Plaza, Elevators, Standing Room Area & More

July 24, 2019
July 24, 2019
Chase-utley-4
Dodgers News

Dodgers 2016 Player Review: Chase Utley

November 27, 2016
February 24, 2021

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어