Clayton Kershaw hasn’t appeared in a game for the Los Angeles Dodgers since July 3 due to left forearm inflammation. After a three-week period in which he was shut down because of lingering elbow soreness, he finally appears to be making some headway in his recovery.
Kershaw threw a bullpen session at Petco Park this past Tuesday and came out of it feeling healthy. The left-hander next is scheduled to throw off a mound this weekend as he continues ramping up for a potential return in September.
Kershaw is hopeful he will have enough time to build up as a starting pitcher but also would be open to pitching out of the bullpen if the Dodgers approach him about the possibility.
Based on his progress this week, Kershaw has newfound optimism about the recovery process overall, via SportsNet LA:
“I will say the last few days have made me a little more optimistic, so that’s been a good thing.”
If Kershaw is able to return to the rotation as he hopes, it would give the Dodgers a formidable top three that also features Walker Buehler and Max Scherzer.
Prior to landing on the 10-day injured list and subsequently being transferred to the 60-day IL, Kershaw had posted a 9-7 record, 3.39 ERA, 2.99 FIP and 0.98 WHIP with 127 strikeouts against 19 walks in 106.1 innings (18 games).
The three-time Cy Young Award is eligible to be reinstated off the IL on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Kershaw’s experience as reliever
While Kershaw has his sights on reclaiming his spot in the Dodgers rotation, the limited amount of time left in the regular season could force him to assume a relief role instead.
Of Kershaw’s 375 career appearances in the regular season, all but three have come as starts. He last pitched out of the bullpen in 2019, and prior to that, had not done so since the 2009 season.
Kershaw additionally has seven career relief appearances in the playoffs, with perhaps his most notable one coming in Game 5 of the 2016 National League Division Series when he recorded the final two outs and earned the save against the Washington Nationals.
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