Dodgers’ Dave Roberts On Clayton Kershaw: ‘We’re Way Ahead of Schedule’

The Los Angeles Dodgers were pleasantly surprised with Clayton Kershaw’s simulated inning at Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kershaw threw 20 pitches to Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, and No. 10 prospect Kendall George, who made the trip from Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. His four-seam fastball touched 88 mph, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Kershaw is “way ahead of schedule”  in his recovery from left shoulder surgery and is estimated to return to full strength in about six weeks. That would have Kershaw rejoining the Dodgers right around the All-Star break.

“Right now, we’re way ahead of schedule. So I think that’s really encouraging,” said Roberts. “Every event that happens, [we’ll] just continue to move forward and build on the positive.”

The 36-year-old didn’t give a specific timeline but the buildup from here will be similar to spring training adding an inning every five or six days. He will pitch a two-inning simulated game with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga while the Dodgers are out of town next week.

“If you’re looking at the progression of a pitcher doing his first day in Spring Training, the second day of pitchers and catchers, essentially, [is] doing a one-inning situation,” said Roberts. “So then you’re talking about six weeks. But obviously, with Clayton, we’re all going to kind of read and react. But I think there’s still going to be a consistent process.”

Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

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