Dodgers' Recovery Road: Clayton Kershaw Faces Setback Post-Shoulder Surgery
The Los Angeles Dodgers have encountered another challenge in what has been a tumultuous season for their pitching roster. Star left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who has been working his way back from shoulder surgery, has experienced an unexpected halt in his rehab journey.
Kershaw, who underwent surgery last November to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder, recently completed his first rehab start. During this outing, he managed to pitch three innings and throw 36 pitches. He was on schedule for a second rehab start on Tuesday, but lingering soreness has led to a sudden pause in his recovery process.
An MRI revealed no new incidents, which provides a silver lining for both the player and the team. Despite this, the decision has been made to shut Kershaw down for at least a week before any further attempts to ramp up his throwing regimen. This conservative approach aims to ensure that the left-hander does not aggravate his condition further.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on the situation, stating, "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."
For the Dodgers to consider activating Kershaw to the big-league roster, he would need to be capable of finishing at least five innings and throwing around 75 pitches. With the current setback, a realistic return would place Kershaw back on the mound sometime in August, provided his recovery goes as planned.
Injury-stricken Dodgers Pitching Staff
Kershaw's setback adds to a litany of injuries that have plagued the Dodgers' pitching staff this season. Walker Buehler started the season on the injured list, and Bobby Miller had a lengthy stint there as well. Kershaw, along with teammates Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, has spent the entirety of the year on the injured list. Recently, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was also added to the roster of injured pitchers.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have managed to maintain an impressive 48-31 record as of Monday. They currently hold a commanding 8.5-game lead in the NL West, a testament to the depth and resilience of the team.
Looking Ahead
While Kershaw's journey back to the mound has been interrupted, the Dodgers remain optimistic about his return. His experience and skill are invaluable assets, especially as the team eyes a deep postseason run. His full recovery will be crucial in bolstering a pitching lineup that has been continually tested throughout the season.
For now, both Kershaw and the Dodgers will have to exercise patience and caution as they navigate this challenging phase of rehabilitation. The focus remains on ensuring that he can contribute effectively without risking further injury.
As baseball fans look forward to Kershaw's return, there is hope that his journey through this rigorous process will eventually lead to a successful comeback, complementing a Dodgers team that has shown remarkable fortitude in the face of adversity.