Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been out since early August with a lower back problem.
Back issues are nothing new for Kershaw, as he has been experiencing them for years.
He is, however, on his way back: slowly but surely, he keeps jumping obstacles and taking things step by step towards the objective, which is being healthy and in-form for the playoffs.
His most recent step involved covering the equivalent of three frames while facing hitters.
“Kershaw threw to hitters today – the equivalent of 3 innings. Dave Roberts said he’ll make the trip to Miami later this week and ramp up to 4 innings in a sim game,” the Dodgers Insider Twitter account reported.
Kershaw threw to hitters today – the equivalent of 3 innings. Dave Roberts said he’ll make the trip to Miami later this week and ramp up to 4 innings in a sim game.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 22, 2022
He Could Rejoin The Dodgers Next Week
Pitching in a sim game is usually the previous step to going on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues, but it’s not clear if the Dodgers will send him to one or if they will have him slowly ramp up in the major leagues.
If his four-inning simulated game on Saturday goes according to the plan and he feels good, he could potentially rejoin the Dodgers pitching staff next week.
The Dodgers lost Walker Buehler for the season, and even though they welcomed back Dustin May over the weekend, they need Kershaw healthy if they want to have a competitive edge in the postseason.
The left-hander has a solid 2.64 ERA in 15 starts and 85.1 innings, with a 7-3 record, 88 strikeouts, and a brilliant 0.98 WHIP.
He been stellar every time he takes the mound, but the back issue has not been the only injury he has suffered this year.
The Dodgers want to take things slow and make sure their ace is fully recovered for another postseason run.
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