The Los Angeles Dodgers have their sights set on the postseason as they have reached the later stages of the regular season, but they are still awaiting word on a number of starting pitchers making their way back from injury.
Among those is Clayton Kershaw, who has been out since late August with an injury to his left big toe. The discomfort was the result of a bone spur that he’s been dealing with for multiple seasons but was giving him trouble when pushing off the mound this year.
Kershaw returning during the regular season is unlikely, but he could be an option for the postseason. That’s a possibility the left-hander is keeping open, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s just a healing thing,” he said. “There’s no miracle insole or shoe that will heal it. But there are some things that will help and between that and time I still think there’s a shot, for sure.”
Kershaw is maintaining his readiness in case he’s cleared to return and can pitch through the pain. He’s staying on a solid throwing program to keep his arm ready and wouldn’t need too long to ramp back up:
“I’m just trying to throw a lot of pitches because I can’t go 100 percent intensity yet,” he said. “So I’m hoping if I continue with the intensity part I won’t need much of a rehab stint if any.”
The Dodgers would love to have the version of Kershaw that threw six shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals with just four hits allowed on Aug. 18, however, his ceiling is tough to expect production of that magnitude.
Kershaw is said to be dealing with more than just a bone spur, and the Dodgers noted that they’re still unsure if it’s his tendons or ligaments that are factoring into his pain.
How can Clayton Kershaw help Dodgers
The most obvious route is a clean return to the mound without a hitch. His stamina isn’t likely to have been impacted as the veteran lefty has noted that he’s keeping himself in shape aside from resting his toe injury.
Analyzing the current starting rotation, the Dodgers are sure to be looking for another option other than sophomore right-hander Bobby Miller, who had another disastrous outing on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins.
What Kershaw can provide is a stable piece to a rotation that is still in need of innings before the regular season ends. The highest ceiling is he finds an immediate rhythm, making him an okay option to be in a playoff rotation in the fourth game of a five or seven game set.
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