Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Set to Make Rehab Start

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Clayton Kershaw since the end of June, but as Bill Shakin tweeted out last night, he will go on a rehab assignment this weekend.

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are the Los Angeles Dodger’s Hi-A affiliate and are currently on the brink of elimination from the playoffs, sitting with an elimination number of just two with four left to play. They will be facing the Modesto Nuts at home, who will notably not have Kershaw pitching in any games for them. They sit three games back of the Lancaster JetHawks (Astros, for now) and in between them and Lancaster are the High Desert Mavericks (Rangers), who won the division in the first half, and will cease to host a team in 2017 after their contraction at the end of the 2016 season.

On the season, the Quakes sit just two games behind the Mavericks (80-56) at 78-58 on the season, missing out on the division by a single game in the first half. Their overall record is tied with the top spot over in the Cal League North division with the Visalia Rahide (D-Backs), but they could find themselves out of the playoffs without some magic this weekend.

Luckily, they have Kershaw set to take the mound at some point this weekend, although according to the announced starters on the team’s website, Kershaw is not in the mix to start a game. That could just be the lack of an update on their end, or the Quakes could be planning to use Kershaw in relief. It’s more likely to be the former.

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In July, Dodgers starters accumulated a 2.6 WAR, good for sixth in baseball during the month, while holding a 4.24 ERA which ranked 16th. Their FIP on the other hand sat much lower at 3.16, which was the best in baseball in July.

In August however, injuries began to catch up with the club, as they accumulated a 0.0 WAR, 5.48 ERA (25th) and a FIP of 5.35 (28th), which was only better than the Phillies and Twins staffs. Los Angeles scored 132 runs in August, right in the middle of the pack, which helped them tally a 15-13 record, best in the National League West despite a -17 run differential.

With Rich Hill being scratched from yet another start due to his recurring blister issue, Kershaw can’t return soon enough. With California League play coming to an end on Monday for the Quakes unless they make the postseason, if he needs another rehab start, the Triple-A Oklahoma City squad has secured a postseason berth and will be playing the Nashville Sound (A’s) from seventh through the eleventh. Even if Kershaw’s outing were held on Monday, he would be able to pitch in the Nashville series as long as the five-game series goes at least four games.

After today’s game in which rookie Julio Urias is scheduled to pitch, the Dodgers have yet to announce who will start both Saturday and Sunday’s games. Top pitching prospect Jose De Leon could certainly find himself making a start in Chavez Ravine this weekend, especially with rosters having expanded. In order for this to happen, the Dodgers would have to add him to the 40-man roster.

Jesse Chavez is another option to consider, given that he has started in the past, but being that he just pitched an inning on Wednesday and has not started a game all season, he wouldn’t be able to give the team many innings if he were to get the nod. Both Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy pitched five simulated innings earlier this week, and while McCarthy is eligible to return from the disabled list, Kazmir still has another week before he can be activated.

Next: A Sabermetric Road to Recovery for Kershaw?

All this adds up to the Dodgers needing Kershaw back as soon as possible. With the Giants hanging around the NL West race at two games back, adding the best pitcher in baseball to the fold, and theoretically Rich Hill at some point, should be enough to separate them from San Francisco and take the Dodgers to the playoffs for a fourth straight season.