The first day of Spring Training for Clayton Kershaw not only included the customary physical and settling in at Camelback Ranch, but he also was one of several Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers who elected to throw a bullpen session.
On Thursday, Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen, Scott Kazmir, Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brock Stewart and Ross Stripling were among those to throw their first official bullpen session of the spring. As for Kershaw, he’s looking to make every start this season after missing more than eight weeks in 2016 due to a back injury.
The left-hander reported to camp in good health and without any lingering concerns over the herniated disc that forced him to the disabled list for only the second time in his career.
Kershaw threw another bullpen session on Friday, which ESPN’s Doug Padilla captured some video of:
Last year’s back injury has resulted in Kershaw being more aware of his body and no longer as keen to push through soreness or pain during workouts. Kershaw’s 21 starts in 2016 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.
