As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers activated Clayton Kershaw off the 10-day disabled list on Friday. A corresponding move was not required, as he returns on the first day active rosters expand.
Kershaw starts in the series opener against the San Diego Padres, with the Dodgers looking to snap a season-high five-game losing streak. Over the past three seasons, Los Angeles is 23-8 in games Kershaw starts following a loss.
Kershaw returns from a lower back strain after spending just under six weeks on the disabled list, last starting in a Major League game on July 23. He missed 10 weeks last season while recovering from a mild herniated disc.
Just like last year, the activation comes after the left-handed ace completed a rehab start. This time around it was with Oklahoma City, in what was Kershaw’s first career game at the Triple-A level.
Kershaw allowed one run (on a Jorge Soler homer) and struck out eight over five innings. He enjoyed the Oklahoma City environment but quipped he hoped to never pitch there again.
Kershaw is 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA, 2.92 FIP and 0.88 WHIP in 21 starts; the Dodgers are 19-2 in his outings this season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 14.1 innings across two starts against the Padres this season.
He allowed one run, and recorded nine strikeouts but issued a season-high four walks over 7.1 innings in an outing at Petco Park in May. Kershaw grew agitated with home-plate umpire Toby Basner’s strike zone and following the win admitted to allowing his emotions to boil over.
