Clayton Kershaw hasn’t pitched in a game since May 7 but took a significant step toward rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation by throwing a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium on Monday.
It was Kershaw’s first time getting off a mound since he was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 13 with right SI joint inflammation. He threw 38 pitches and used the fastball, curveball and slider.
Kershaw is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session on Wednesday. If there aren’t any setbacks, he could potentially begin a rehab assignment this weekend and rejoin the Dodgers next week.
“Clayton feels good. Catch play today, he’s going to throw a ‘pen [Wednesday],” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think he’s scheduled to go out Saturday on rehab. It’ll be three or four innings, and if it’s possible, he’ll go in the ‘pen and throw another inning.
“If all goes well, I could see him making that rehab start and six days after that rehab start, he would be with us.”
As for which Minor League affiliate Kershaw could join for his rehab assignment, Roberts could not give a definitive answer. “I’m not sure yet where,” he said.
Kershaw previously dealt with back injuries during the 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020 seasons. Last year he twice suffered from left forearm/elbow inflammation, with the second instance preventing him from pitching in the postseason.
Kershaw was administered an epidural but it did not provide the expected relief. After spending time in Dallas, he met the team in Arizona last weekend and said time off to rest and recover had proven beneficial.
Kershaw went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 32 strikeouts against three walks over five starts thus far. He threw seven scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs in his final outing before going on the IL.
Kershaw will be mindful but not limited by potential back trouble
Kershaw acknowledged he will likely always have recurring bouts of back pain and hopes it doesn’t affect him late in the season. The 34-year-old also noted he doesn’t expect to have to manage his back injury for every start moving forward.
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