Dodgers News: Frustrated Clayton Kershaw Did Not Want to Go on Injured List
The Dodgers placed Clayton Kershaw on the 15 day injured list on Monday, much to the chagrin of Clayton Kershaw. The ace is in the middle of an exceptional season, which in and of itself isn’t news. But what is newsworthy is the fact that he was the only Dodger starting pitcher that hadn’t spent time on the IL this season.
At least up until now.
Clayton hadn’t pitched a full season without spending time on the IL since 2015. He was hoping to make it through this season but now was forced to the sidelines. Keyword there is forced.
Before Monday’s game, a frustrated Kershaw talked about the series of events that led to him landing on the IL once again.
“Any time you have to take time off it’s frustrating. Disappointing. The way the season was going I was hoping I could make it through a full season — it’s something I haven’t done in a while. It’s always something I want to do so any time that doesn’t work out it’s definitely frustrating for me. But I guess with where we’re at in the season with the break, it’s probably overall a good thing to take a little break now.
“Ideally I would have just skipped a start and made the next one but I guess that’s not where we’re at with our pitching. And sometimes roster decisions take precedent and I understand that.”
Via Claudia Gestro
Kershaw and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expect the left-hander to be back in the rotation right after the All Star break, so the move is expected to cost him just the one start. And, unfortunately the chance to pitch in the All Star Game, another reason he’s frustrated about hitting the IL.
He’s annoyed for now, but ultimately it’s the right call to save him from himself and to keep the long term focus on the postseason.
Rookie Michael Grove started in his place on Monday.
