While the Los Angeles Dodgers have become adept over recent seasons to remaining afloat without Clayton Kershaw, this year marked the first time he was not included on the club’s Opening Day roster.
Furthermore, that snapped Kershaw’s franchise record of consecutive Opening Day starts at eight. Hyun-Jin Ryu filled in admirably for his fellow left-hander, and the Dodgers have started the season 3-1 behind an impressive offensive display.
All the while Kershaw has continued to increase his level of activity as he looks to return from inflammation in his throwing shoulder. The latest step was completing a three-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium over the weekend.
Next for Kershaw is a rehab start, which will come on Opening Day for Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
Clayton Kershaw will start on Opening Day … for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 1, 2019
Although Kershaw historically has not been fond of rehab games, he’s looking forward to Thursday’s start as it will be his first live setting of the year. Kershaw last pitched for Oklahoma City in 2017 after being sidelined for more than one month.
Assuming all goes well for the 31-year-old, he conceivably could join the Dodgers rotation while the club is on a seven-game road trip. Though, it has not yet been determined if Kershaw will require more than one rehab outing.
He began the season on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 25, making Friday the earliest date the Dodgers could activate their ace.
