Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw has faced an unexpected obstacle in his road to recovery following shoulder surgery. After making one rehab start and being scheduled for a second, Kershaw has now been shut down due to "lingering soreness."
Kershaw will abstain from throwing for at least a week before attempting to ramp back up his activity. This development, while unfortunate, did not reveal any new issues according to an MRI. The star pitcher had shoulder surgery last November, during which the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder were repaired.
Setback in Recovery
In his first rehab outing, Kershaw pitched three innings and threw a total of 36 pitches. To be seriously considered for activation to the Dodgers' big-league roster, Kershaw would need to demonstrate the capability to finish at least five innings and throw around 75 pitches.
Commenting on the situation, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted, "This is part of the process as far as anyone that goes through rehab, that goes through a surgery, and is on his way back. It's not surprising. It's not perfect, but it's not surprising in the fact that there is a little bit of a regression in the throwing process."
Injury-Plagued Dodgers Pitching Staff
The Dodgers have endured a season riddled with injuries to their pitching staff. Walker Buehler started the season on the injured list. Bobby Miller had a lengthy stint on the injured list, and Kershaw, along with fellow pitchers Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, has spent the entirety of the year on the injured list. Recently, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was added to this unfortunate roster of injured pitchers.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have managed to perform admirably. As of Monday, they boast a 48-31 record and hold a substantial 8.5-game lead in the NL West. This resilience speaks volumes about the depth and determination of the team, even while grappling with a slew of setbacks on the mound.
Looking forward, there is cautious optimism around Kershaw's potential return sometime in August. His presence on the mound would be a significant boost for the Dodgers as they aim to solidify their position in the postseason picture.
Kershaw's journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports injuries and the rigorous path to recovery that athletes undertake. His progress will be closely monitored by fans and the team's management alike, all hoping for a swift and complete recovery for one of baseball's most respected pitchers.
In the meantime, the Dodgers will continue to rely on their depth and resilience, with the hope that their key pitchers can return to health and contribute to the team's success down the stretch.