Spring Training has not gotten off to a good start for Clayton Kershaw after signing a three-year extension to remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kershaw has been dealing with a shoulder issue that caused him to be shut down from throwing for almost a week, although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t seem to be too concerned about the issue.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old resumed throwing for the first time on Monday, but he came out of it with a lot more cause for concern. “He didn’t feel great so where he’s at right now, it might be another day or two until he picks it up again,” Roberts said after Monday’s win over the Chicago Cubs.
“So right now, I think it’s safe to say that he didn’t feel great coming out of it so where that has us right now, I really don’t know. But I know we’ll probably take a step back until he starts feeling better.”
Despite Kershaw feeling discomfort, Roberts said there still are no plans for him to fly back to Los Angeles to undergo an MRI on his throwing shoulder.
“I think the medical staff has got a handle on it and I’ll touch base with them this evening and figure out the course of action for Clayton. But right now, we don’t have an MRI scheduled,” Roberts explained.
As it currently stands, Kershaw is still the team’s expected Opening Day starter. Roberts admitted he is a bit more concerned now than in previous days though.
“It’s not ideal and you hope when he picks up the ball,” Roberts conceded. “It comes out feeling better so obviously it’s not ideal. But we’ll deal with whatever comes our way.”
Shoulder issues are something that Kershaw has dealt with in the past. He has never had any injuries this early in Spring Training though, so it makes sense that the Dodgers are proceeding cautiously.
If Kershaw does not begin feeling better in the next week or so, then him making his franchise-record ninth consecutive Opening Day start will certainly be in jeopardy.
