Dave Roberts Reacts to Clayton Kershaw’s Setback for Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers got some unfortunate news this week that pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a setback in his rehab. Kershaw was tracking ahead of schedule in his return from surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his throwing shoulder. He returned to pitching simulated games this month, then pitched his first minor league rehab game last Wednesday.
The start was a success. Kershaw pitched three innings for the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, allowing two hits, one earned run, one walk and five strikeouts. His fastball reached up to 90 mph.
However, Kershaw will take a break from this progress due to lingering soreness. He was scheduled to make his second rehab start on Tuesday, but will now delay that start. He will stop pitching for at least a week.
While the news is disappointing, it’s not surprising to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who has seen this play out before with pitchers attempting to return from major arm injuries.
“This is part of the process as far as anyone that goes through rehab, that goes through a surgery, and is on his way back,” Roberts said, via Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register. “It’s not surprising. It’s not perfect, but it’s not surprising in the fact that there is a little bit of a regression in the throwing process.”
Even with the setback, there’s still room for Kershaw to make it back by late July or August — the initial thought back in February. The 10-time All-Star and three-time National League Cy Young award winner went 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA last year.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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