Dodgers hint at when Clayton Kershaw could return
Clayton Kershaw is one step closer to returning to the Dodgers’ rotation.
The team announced Friday that the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP will throw a bullpen session Saturday for the first time since being placed on the disabled list nearly two months ago because of a herniated disk in his back. And if Saturday’s session goes well, a minor-league rehab assignment could follow.
"As we look at the calendar, we feel that there's time for Clayton to make a couple, two, three starts before the end of the season,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters, according to the Dodgers’ website, adding that Kershaw finally is pain-free.
Kershaw, 28, last pitched on June 26 but still leads the majors with a 1.79 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP. He is 11-2 with 145 strikeouts in 121 innings.
The Dodgers have played remarkably well without their ace, going 26-17 and overtaking the rival Giants for the NL West lead.
Equally as surprising is the performance of the rotation since Kershaw’s injury. However, cracks have emerged recently and more injuries have struck, with right-hander Brandon McCarthy the latest to land on the DL.
