Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Nearing Return, Tosses Simulated Game
Clayton Kershaw threw a simulated game to Dodger hitters, including Enrique Hernandez and Joc Pederson.
Sim game underway #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/rg1wgKHAOi
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 30, 2019
Dave Roberts with @alannarizzo on @ClaytonKersh22's simulated game and expectations for Kenta Maeda's workload after last night's 6 hr 5 min game. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/aMNf7JSdtB
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 31, 2019
Kershaw appears to be being built up fairly quickly and could be back healthy in the Dodgers’ rotation by the end of April if all goes well. 50 pitches and more on the side is a very strong foundation.
Clayton Kershaw threw a 50-pitch, 3-inning, simulated game. He threw more in the bullpen. Next he’ll throw a side session in a couple of days & then a minor league rehab in either @TulsaDrillers or @okc_dodgers.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 30, 2019
#Dodgers Clayton Kershaw said he expects to make a rehab start for OKC or Tulsa on Thursday, April 4 — so he will be making an Opening Day start this year after all.
"Yeah — woo hoo," he said.— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 31, 2019
The Dodgers starting rotation is deep enough to withstand an extended absence from Clayton Kershaw and has proven such in past seasons. However, Kersh remains one of the best pitchers in the league and his return to the club will be an obvious welcome. When he enters the rotation, the club should shape their rotation with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda, and Julio Urias in tow. Ross Stripling, a current member of the rotation could quite possibly be phased out of that role as well as Urias upon the return of Rich Hill.
Those are seven viable big-league starters. Let’s do this.
