Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Shines in Spring Debut
It was only one inning, but Clayton Kershaw looks healthy.
The Dodgers ace threw 12 pitches, with eight strikes, in his one inning of work Saturday afternoon. Kershaw added a strikeout.
Is this the definition of respect? @Dodgers teammates lined up to watch @ClaytonKersh22 warm up pic.twitter.com/zXwGYuU3mB
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) February 25, 2017
This is @ClaytonKersh22.
Be scared of him. #Nasty pic.twitter.com/9TRfmsRxk0
— MLB (@MLB) February 25, 2017
#Dodgers Clayton Kershaw delivers the 1st pitch of the new year pic.twitter.com/obLrMIEo8y
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 25, 2017
Kershaw fell behind Melky Cabrera on a changeup he called “terrible.” He bounced back to strike-out Cabrera. Even so, he wasn’t satisfied.
“Fastball command wasn’t as good as I wanted it to, and that’s probably the most important thing that first time out?—?getting fastball command where you want it to be,” Kershaw said via Dodger Insider. “Everything works off that. I got behind every batter today, but the results are OK. I got three outs. I’ll take it for today, and get ready for the next one.”
If Kershaw stays healthy, he’ll be a heavy Cy Young favorite and the Dodgers will have a favorable chance of controlling the NL West.
Cody Bellinger pinch hit for Logan Forsythe and stayed in the game at first. He’s expected to play a lot this spring.
