Kershaw Throws A Successful Bullpen Session
Another day, another updated on the Dodgers potential Opening Dat starter Clayton Kershaw. After a few weeks of being limited to flat ground throwing, Calyton Kershaw finally took the hill to throw his first bullpen session since his shoulder discomfort.
#Dodgers Clayton Kershaw begins his first bullpen since Feb. 20. Dave Roberts said it would be fastballs only pic.twitter.com/qZpTuihPAV
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 11, 2019
Kershaw ended up throwing a total of 20 pitches, all of which were fastballs. Twenty pitches may not seem like much, but it is huge when you consider how slow this process has been for him. Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt had plenty of good things to say about Kershaw’s session.
Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said Kershaw felt good and his delivery was smooth. Estimated 80% effort.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 11, 2019
Eighty percent effort for a guy that looked like he might not make the Opening Day roster is pretty amazing. We will have to wait and see how he feels in the following days, the Dodgers could still potentially have Clayton Kershaw starting on Opening Day. It’s a longshot, but not impossible.
Honeycutt also noted that the team would not rush him back into action. He also would not say when he felt that he would be ready to throw in an actual game. Including today’s game, there are only 16 games left between now and opening day. With just over two weeks to go, it will be a tight window to make. The sentiment of not rushing Kershaw back has been echoed across many fans, but they have to feel encouraged by what they are seeing.
Kershaw will throw another bullpen in a few more days according to Honeycutt, who was very encouraged by this first step.
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Kershaw, Please stay healthy!
As I mentioned a week ago, if Kershaw gets to 50 pitches in spring training, he gets the Opening Day start and the record, which is something they want him to obtain.
If you look at the calendar and pencil in when Clayton will throw and progress from bullpen( session to live batting practice to a 1-2 inning start and then a 3-4 inning start, figure 3-4 days in between each session, there’s no way he’s ready to pitch on opening day! Especially if they don’t rush him. I just don’t see logistically how it’s possible.