For more than two months last season there wasn’t much that Clayton Kershaw could do other than watch the Los Angeles Dodgers attempt to push ahead without him. A mild disc herniation forced Kershaw to the 15-day disabled list on July 1, and he was later transferred to the 60-day DL.
It marked just the second time in Kershaw’s career an injury forced him to the disabled list. Kershaw missed six weeks in 2014 due to a teres major strain (left shoulder) that sidelined him after kicking off the season in Australia.
Upon returning from last year’s injury, the Dodgers’ left-handed ace steadily regained his usual form over five regular-season outings. Kershaw pitched without much change, and even made a relief appearance to earn a save and close out the National League Division Series on one days’ rest.
Speaking during the Winter Meetings last December, Kershaw said he anticipated a healthy offseason. Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training on Wednesday, and Kershaw reiterated concerns over his back injury are behind him, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Kershaw said he is not concerned or worried about his health.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 15, 2017
Kershaw said he's more aware of his body and careful not to "push through" when he feels he shouldn't.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 15, 2017
While Kershaw acknowledged he’ll be more mindful of not necessarily overexerting himself during Spring Training, that doesn’t equate to sweeping changes in workouts during camp, according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:
Kershaw said that he feels great and expects to make every start this year. He expects same workouts this spring as in the past.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 15, 2017
Kershaw’s 21 starts last season matched a career low, set as a rookie during 2008; his 149 innings pitched were the second-lowest total. The 28-year-old was otherwise his dominant self, going 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA, 230 ERA+, 1.80 FIP and 0.73 WHIP.
At the time of landing on the disabled list, Kershaw led the Majors in ERA (1.79), complete games (three), complete-game shutouts (three), innings pitched (121) and strikeouts (145), among other categories.
In addition, his 16-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio was on pace to shatter Phil Hughes’ MLB record of 11.63, set with the Minnesota Twins in 2014.
Even with the time missed, Kershaw was named the top starting pitcher heading into the 2017 season by MLB Network’s The Shredder and ESPN’s Buster Olney.
