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: Clayton Kershaw Returning As Relief Pitcher Not Ruled Out
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Returning As Relief Pitcher Not Ruled Out

Matt Borelli
August 18, 2021
4 Min Read
Clayton Kershaw
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

One of the hardest hit areas of the Los Angeles Dodgers roster by injury this season has been their starting rotation, where the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Danny Duffy and Dustin May having been sidelined for various lengths of time.

Kershaw, out since July 7 due to left forearm inflammation, appeared to be making progress toward a return before being shut down two weeks ago with lingering elbow soreness. It prevented him from facing batters a second time in five days at the start of August.

The left-hander was transferred to the 60-day injured list as a paper move and now isn’t eligible to be reinstated until Sept. 5.

In the event he doesn’t have enough time to build back up as a starter, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts left open the possibility of Kershaw returning as a reliever, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

Roberts acknowledged it is possible Kershaw won’t have enough time to build back up to a starter’s workload.

“I think that will be kind of contingent on where the ramp-up goes,” he said. “I don’t want to say, ‘No.’ That’s the goal. But if it comes to be a two-, three-inning monster out of the ’pen, then that’s what it will be.”

Should Kershaw indeed transition to the bullpen for the remainder of the 2021 season, he could be used in the same role Julio Urias filled during the 2020 postseason.

Of Kershaw’s 375 career appearances in the regular season, all but three have come as starts. He last pitched out of the bullpen in 2019, and prior to that, had not done so since the 2009 season.

Kershaw additionally has seven career relief appearances in the playoffs, with perhaps his most notable one coming in Game 5 of the 2016 National League Division Series when he recorded the final two outs and earned the save against the Washington Nationals.

Kershaw admits to rushing return

Kershaw was candid when discussing the cause of his recent setback and blamed it on himself wanting to rush back. “Basically, I just tried to come back too fast, which is a bummer,” he said.

“After the sim game it really didn’t respond well. It’s frustrating, it’s still nothing serious, but it’s just something that’s going to take a little bit of time. It’s no fun. Being hurt is miserable. I really don’t enjoy it at all.

“Especially with what’s going on here, the guys we have coming in, this stretch run, I want to be a part of it so bad. I’m going to do everything I can to be back, and I think I will be. But definitely looking more like September than August. I know we’re still going to be in the middle of it, so I’m excited to be part of it then.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Clayton KershawDave RobertsLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Giancarlo Stanton, 2022 MLB All-Star Game
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Giancarlo Stanton Hopeful For Yankees-Dodgers World Series

July 20, 2022
July 20, 2022
FeaturedRumors

MLB Rumors: Arizona Fall League Expansion Under Consideration, Along With Playing In Florida

June 7, 2020
June 6, 2020
Dodgers NewsSpring Training

Dodgers News: Matt Kemp ‘Excited’ For Opening Day In Los Angeles

March 23, 2018
March 23, 2018
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger reacts after his pants fall down during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Dodgers NewsSpring Training

Unlike Jose Altuve, Cody Bellinger Would Embrace Jersey And Pants Being Ripped Off After Hitting Home Run That Puts Dodgers In World Series

February 15, 2020
February 15, 2020

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