It wasn’t long ago that the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu to the starting rotation. Both made their respective 2016 debut without issue, and the weeks ahead were filled with optimism.
That was despite the club being without Clayton Kershaw as he was lot to the disabled list because of a mild disc herniation. While concerning, the injury wasn’t one that required surgery and the early updates had Kershaw recovering well.
However, any positivity regarding the Dodgers’ starting rotation that had been built up was washed away Tuesday. Hyun-Jin Ryu was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow tendinitis and when he will next pitch is unknown.
Compacting matters, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw didn’t come out of his 60-pitch simulated game and has been shut down for the time being, according to Andy McCullough of the LA Times:
Clayton Kershaw "didn't feel great" on Sunday, Dave Roberts said. He's shut down until his back pain goes away. His return? "Uncertain."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) July 19, 2016
Had Kershaw not dealt with any lingering pain, it was believed to be possible he get activated from the disabled list prior to the Dodgers concluding their road trip this weekend. It was previously reported Kershaw’s recovery was estimated at four to six weeks.
He was placed on the disabled list on July 1, with it backdated to June 27. Kershaw and the Dodgers have yet to publicly release a timetable for his return. The three-time Cy Young Award winner explained the reasoning behind that decision was to avoid questioning over whether he rushed back or encountered a delay.
Kershaw had been advancing through a five-step program that back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins outlined. Los Angeles now faces the prospect of again needing to patch together their rotation.
One immediate solution has the club starting Bud Norris in place of Ryu on Wednesday, with plans to recall Julio Urias from Triple-A Oklahoma City so that he can start Thursday.
