While the Los Angeles Dodgers have managed to press forward without Clayton Kershaw, when the ace will return has remained a question manager Dave Roberts faces with regularity.
Kershaw last started in a game June 26. He landed on the disabled list soon after with a mild disc herniation. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was said to be recovering ahead of schedule less than two weeks later.
That proved to be a mirage of false hope as Kershaw threw a four-inning simulated game July 16 and suffered a setback.
The lingering back pain forced the impatient 28-year-old to shut down his recovery and focus on back and core strengthening exercises for the past few weeks.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, Kershaw resumed throwing on Sunday:
Clayton Kershaw resumed throwing today. Flat ground.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 7, 2016
Given the previous setback, how Kershaw responds Monday will be key in how quickly he’s able to build on throwing from flat ground.
Kershaw and Roberts have maintained a return this season was in the cards. Roberts recently said he was optimistic the leader of his pitching staff would be back in the fold at some point in September.
The Dodgers transferred Kershaw to the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday, which makes Aug. 27 the earliest date he can be reinstated. Given the amount of time that’s passed between baseball activities, it was presumed a rehab assignment would be necessary for Kershaw.
However, the Minor League season concluding in early September put that likelihood in jeopardy. Kershaw this season is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 1.65 FIP, 0.73 WHIP and 145 strikeouts over 16 starts.
