Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Progressing, MiLB Rehab Assignment Not on the Table

Friday afternoon at Globe Life Park, just a couple of blocks from his offseason home, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw threw a 40-pitch bullpen session and impressed Dave Roberts.

Kershaw has been out with shoulder inflammation since his last start at Coors Field on June 27th. Originally, the Dodgers and Kershaw thought he would be back immediately after the All-Star break, but the medical staff and Dr. Neal El Attrache instructed Kershaw to rest the inflamed shoulder.

After the bullpen session, Roberts revealed to reporters the next steps for the left-hander.

“I think the next step is for him to throw a live simulated, three-inning situation with our guys on Monday.”

Via OC Register

Roberts was vague about what happens after Monday since he doesn’t want to push Kershaw since the Dodgers need him to be healthy for the rest of the season and in the postseason.

“We’re going to leave it open. So, we get to that first hurdle of the sim games, then see how Clayton feels. I think after that, we’ll kind of know how to navigate,” Roberts said. “For me, I think for all of us, it’s either going to be two sim games and kind of add another inning after that sim game, then he’s activated.”

The Dodgers don’t expect Kershaw to need a rehab assignment. “If he gets back and throws the way that we expect, it’s going to be a great break and it’ll be much needed,” Roberts added. “It’ll kind of be that reset to get him through October, so I think that’s why right now we’re just trying to be super cautious and do as much to sustaining health the rest of the way as he possibly can.”

Kershaw has 10 wins and 4 losses with a 2.55 ERA this season. At 35, he is still one of the elite starters in the major leagues.  

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