How long will LA Dodgers’ star pitcher Clayton Kershaw be on the injured list?
Three-time NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw is put on the injured list by the Los Angeles Dodgers suffering with recurring lower back pain
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed southpaw ace Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list on Friday, just one day after being pulled from the San Francisco Giants start with lower back pain.
After undergoing an X-ray and an MRI on Friday, manager Dave Roberts made the simultaneous move of putting him on the injured list and activating Chris Taylor.
Not wanting to give any specifics until the results of the MRI are in, Roberts says that he expects Kershaw to be back in the rotation in time for a few starts before the postseason.
Warming up before the fifth inning on Thursday, Kershaw said that he “just felt something kind of lock up there in the fifth and couldn’t really throw after that.” This is a recurring injury for the Dodgers pitcher, having missed time earlier in the season with back problems.
Kershaw is seven and three this season with a 2.64 ERA and his rotation spot will be a tough one to fill. He has thrown 85.1 innings in 15 games, notching up 88 strikeouts and getting the start in the All-Star game last month. For the moment the Dodgers will lean on Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson and Julio Urías in their rotation and there are rumblings that Dustin May could be ready for the nod after his Tommy John surgery last season.
Roberts is leaving all of his options open and keeping his cards close to his chest, noting that May has another start scheduled for Tuesday in Triple-A.
“The world will look different then,’’ Roberts said. “Then we’ll make a decision on whether he should make another one, which is most likely, so now you’re looking at somebody in our system to make that next start. Pepiot certainly makes sense.’’