The Dodgers' pitching roster faces another setback as left-handed ace Clayton Kershaw has hit an unexpected obstacle in his recovery from shoulder surgery. Despite having undergone one rehab start, Kershaw has been sidelined once again due to "lingering soreness" in his left shoulder.
A Road to Recovery Turned Rocky
Kershaw has been on a meticulous road to return from the surgery that repaired the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his shoulder last November. While an MRI revealed no new incidents, the soreness is significant enough to halt his progress. The Dodgers have decided that Kershaw will not throw for at least a week before attempting to ramp back up.
Providing insight into the situation, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated, "This is part of the process as far as anyone that goes through rehab, that goes through a surgery, and is on his way back. It’s not surprising. It’s not perfect, but it’s not surprising in the fact that there is a little bit of a regression in the throwing process."
Performance and Expectations
In his first rehab outing, Kershaw pitched three innings and threw 36 pitches, indicating a positive step forward. However, for the Dodgers to consider activating him to the big-league roster, Kershaw needs to demonstrate the ability to finish at least five innings and throw around 75 pitches in a rehab start. As of now, his return to the mound is tentatively set for sometime in August, assuming there are no further complications.
Injury Woes for the Dodgers
The Dodgers' pitching staff has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. From Walker Buehler starting the season on the injured list to Bobby Miller's lengthy absence, the team has faced considerable challenges. Kershaw, along with Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, have spent the entirety of the year on the injured list. Most recently, the Dodgers added Yoshinobu Yamamoto to what seems like a never-ending list of injured pitchers.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have managed to maintain an impressive 48-31 record and currently hold an 8.5-game lead in the NL West. The team's resilience and depth have played crucial roles in navigating this tumultuous period as they strive to keep their momentum going.
Kershaw's return would undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the Dodgers, both in terms of skill and morale. Yet, for now, the team and its fans will need to exercise patience as Kershaw works through this critical stage of his recovery process.