Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Set For Simulated Game
By Ron Juckett
After a successful bullpen session Friday, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw moves on to the next stage of his recovery of an injured back.
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will take another step in his recovery Tuesday when he will toss a simulated game. Injured with a herniated disc, he has been on the disabled list since the end of June.
A 60-pitch bullpen session Friday went well and pain-free. Tuesday’s game will determine how soon Kershaw will join the club. The Dodgers hold a two-game lead over their bitter rivals, the San Francisco Giants, in the National League West.
Before getting hurt, Kershaw was having a master season for the ages. With an 11-2 record and a mind-boggling 1.79 ERA in 16 starts, he was well on his way to a fourth Cy Young Award. In 121 innings, he scattered 79 hits and nine walks for a WHIP of 0.727. His 145 strikeouts are just outside the top ten in the league.
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Although not known as a good playoff pitcher, Los Angeles would love to have him back and healthy come October. In part helped by the Giants second-half swoon, the road to LA’s first championship since 1988 goes through the tough Washington Nationals and the hungry Chicago Cubs. If his back can hold out, his arm is fresh enough to carry a full load.
Now in the prime of his career at 28, it is important to have Kershaw completely healthy upon his return. Although everyone with the Dodgers hopes it is this year, there is no rush to get put him back in the rotation if he is still hurt. When he comes back, he will pitch to a new catcher as Los Angeles traded A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies in a controversial deal for Carlos Ruiz. Ellis and Kershaw are so close, they both wept in the clubhouse when word of the deal came in.
What limits are placed on him is not clear until the team is comfortable with his progress and return. The division title will still be up for grabs come mid-September when he is expected back and healthy. The key for LA is to secure the division and avoid the one game NL Wild Card Round. If they can, the Dodgers want to ease Kershaw back into the rotation and take the blinders off once they make the NL Divisional Series.
A grinder, pitching a league-high 232.2 innings last season, Kershaw will throw as long as manager Dave Roberts lets him. The Dodgers will have a tougher time in finishing his rehab than he will in returning.
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If all goes well Tuesday, expect one rehab start somewhere as the minor league seasons start to end before he returns for the last couple weeks. It is great news he pitched pain-free Friday. The next two starts are the key. If the back is okay come next Monday, he should be good to go.