SAN FRANCISCO — Clayton Kershaw was back on the mound at Oracle Park on Tuesday afternoon, a spot from which he has frequently dominated hitters.
This time, though, he was going against teammates Luke Raley and Sheldon Neuse, throwing approximately 45 pitches over three innings in a simulated-game setting. The sim-game session was a significant step in Kershaw’s return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation. The left-hander has been on the injured list since his last start on July 3 due to inflammation in his pitching elbow.
“I think it went alright,” Kershaw said. “Got it done. That stuff is no fun so I’m glad I got it over with.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said how Kershaw feels the day after his first extensive throwing session in more than three weeks will be “telling.” But Kershaw downplayed that, saying the only thing left now is “build up.”
“I think I’ll be fine,” he said.
Roberts said Kershaw’s “stuff was good to the eye” and there will be “some more clarity” on what the next step will be as the week progresses.
“It’s just a matter of what the team needs,” Kershaw said.
“Obviously I’m not built up to 100 pitches or whatever. If I have to be built up to 90, 100 pitches, I’ll probably have to do another one. If less than that is good enough to be back then I’ll probably be back.
“If they need me back, I’ll be ready. But I’m not at a full pitch count. So if I have to build up again, I’ll probably have to do that again.”
The Dodgers’ need to get their three-time Cy Young Award winner back in the starting rotation could be affected by the front office’s ability to acquire pitching before Friday’s MLB trade deadline. Despite their shortage of available starting pitchers, Kershaw said the Dodgers were “in a good spot.”
“You’re just always in a good spot when you’re on our team because you’re never subtracting. So that’s always good,” he said. “Better to be in our position than selling, that’s for sure.”
ARIZONA ACTIVITY
Injured infielders Corey Seager and Gavin Lux headed to Camelback Ranch in Arizona after the homestand ended Sunday.
Seager began playing in games on Monday, according to Roberts, with still no decision made on when or if he will go on a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment.
Lux, meanwhile, is in the early stages of his workouts after going to the IL with a left hamstring injury suffered on July 18 in Colorado. Roberts said Lux has begun taking batting practice in the cage and “looked really good, fluid.”
Lux hit .182 (16 for 88) in his last 28 games before the injury and Roberts said he will go on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Dodgers.
“With Gavin, I expect him to go on a rehab assignment to get his swing right and also make sure his body is right,” Roberts said.
ON FIRST
Cody Bellinger returned to the starting lineup Tuesday after missing two games with a strained left hamstring. Bellinger started at first base, his first start there this season, as a means to limit the amount of running he has to do on defense.
Roberts said the move to first base is just “a short-term play” and he expects Bellinger to return to center field in the next few days. In the meantime, he wants Bellinger to play with “a governor,” not pushing his injured leg too far.
“My message to him was play with a governor,” Roberts said. “We’re putting him on first base so it kind of takes away some of the ground he’s got to cover. When there is a ball in play, be smart. Play with a governor.”
ALSO
Roberts said outfielder Mookie Betts (on the IL with a hip injury) went through a workout Tuesday afternoon that was “his best day in the last couple weeks which is obviously encouraging for everyone.” Betts is eligible to come off the IL on Sunday and the next few days will be aimed at getting Betts “ready for Sunday.”
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Walker Buehler, 10-1, 2.31 ERA) at Giants (RHP Anthony DeSclafani, 10-4, 2.87 ERA), Wednesday, 6:45 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM
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