The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently without their ace, Clayton Kershaw, after the left-hander began the season on the 10-day injured list to continue to get built up.
He dealt with should inflammation that cost him all of Spring Training and the chance to start on Opening Day for the ninth straight year. Kershaw has been making progress in his recovery, throwing a three-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium over the weekend.
After getting through the simulated game, the next step for Kershaw is to throw a bullpen session and the take the mound for a rehab start either with Double-A Tulsa or Triple-A Oklahoma City this week.
Although his preference is to not be in this position, Kershaw is looking forward to pitching in a game for the first time since last season, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Felt good,” Kershaw said. “It was a good step forward. Now, I think a rehab start from here. Sim games are good when it’s your only option, but to have a game-like situation, long innings that you can’t control, it’ll be good.”
Kershaw is expected to throw around four innings and 65 pitches in the rehab start, and if he comes out of it feeling healthy then his next outing could come with the Dodgers. They could also opt to let him throw another rehab game to ensure he is healthy and built up for the season.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation depth has allowed them to get by without Kershaw a number of times in recent years, and again to start this season. The club has to be anxious to get their ace back though and hopefully, he can remain healthy for the entirety of the 2019 season.
