Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw’s Return
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw had his first start since going on the disabled list two months ago with a back injury. Unfortunately, he only lasted three innings and took the loss as the Marlins outscored the Dodgers 4-1.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were more than happy to have their ace, Clayton Kershaw, take the mound Friday for the first time in 75 days. He’d been out since late June with a lower-back injury.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw 66 pitches over 3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits. Kershaw, in his first big-league game back, held a fastball velocity at 93 mph while his curveball and slider lacked their bite and hung too often. Although he looked rusty, Kershaw showed signs that his dominant self is almost ready. Five of the last six outs by Kershaw were by strikeout including a beautiful slider to Marcel Ozuna in a full count.
Kershaw threw 14 pitches in the first inning, 29 in the second, and 23 in the third. In the first inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a solo home run and Chris Johnson hit an RBI single in the second. Both were on hanging sliders. Kershaw also gave up a hit to Marlins’ pitcher, Jose Fernandez, who sent it straight back at Kershaw forcing him to the ground.
Despite that, the Dodgers still expressed their excitement to get one of the game’s best pitchers back on the roster. In a pre-game interview with ESPN, Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, expressed that excitement.
"“As well as we’re playing right now, it’s a huge lift,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “Not only him being out there, but just for his sanity. I think he’s been going crazy just watching his teammates. I know the guys are very excited for him.”"
Originally, Clayton Kershaw’s return wasn’t expected so soon. But if he is on the mound, he expects to be out there late in the game. The short outing wasn’t a surprise considering the Dodgers want to build him back up. But there’s something special about seeing Kershaw in the dugout pleading his case to Dave Roberts to stay in the game.
Kershaw only made one minor league rehab start earlier this week. He threw 34 pitches and then 15 more in the bullpen. Before the injury, Kershaw was 11-2 through 16 starts with a 1.79 ERA along with 145 strikeouts.
Kershaw spent time on the disabled list one other time in his 9-year career. He sat out over a month in 2014 when he won both the National League MVP and Cy Young awards.
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Despite a five-game winning streak ending in Miami, the Dodgers hold a 4 game lead over the Giants. And with Rich Hill now healthy, Kenta Maeda dialed in, and Clayton Kershaw showing signs that he’s almost ready, the Dodgers’ playoff rotation is looking scary.
As the Dodgers continue to suffer through their injury plague, there is a lot of hope for this team in the playoffs as September inches closer to an end.