Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Practicing Better Workload Management to Put Together Healthiest Season in Years
Clayton Kershaw is still coming up big for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He threw seven shutout innings and got the win in Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over the Angels, and stranded runners at second and third with nobody out in his seventh and final inning in a then-scoreless affair.
One would think it would be tougher for Kershaw to produce at a high level as he reaches his mid-30s, but the 35-year-old is performing up to his usual standard while also finding his post-start recovery as not much of a challenge, as he said postgame on Tuesday.
“I mean,” Kershaw said then paused, “I don’t feel like pitching tomorrow, for sure. But I don’t really feel that bad. Maybe in the last couple years it’s been worse, but this year I actually feel pretty good bouncing back. Been doing my best to try to manage workload and things like that, so maybe not throwing quite as long of bullpens or different things. But, overall this year I feel like I’m bouncing back better than I have the last few years.”
via SportsNet LA
Managing workload in between outings is crucial for a starting pitcher in the back half of his career, and the change is serving the lefty well in 2023.
He’s worked his way to a 2.72 ERA this season while making every one of his scheduled starts, something that the Dodgers really need considering the injuries to Julio Urias and Dustin May, and the struggles that Noah Syndergaard has faced this season.
Kershaw’s handiwork has helped keep Los Angeles afloat this season, as they’re only three and a half games out of first in a tight NL West race.
As long as he can keep up his current pace, LA should remain a threat in the division this season, an excellent feat considering the team’s bullpen problems and patchwork rotation.
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