The Los Angeles Dodgers are rolling to start the season, as their 20-10 record is good enough to lead the NL West division.
A good reason for that successful start has been pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who has a 1.80 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and 32/3 K/BB ratio in five starts and 30 innings.
Unfortunately, it looks like they are going to be without their top pitcher for a while.
The Dodgers placed their star hurler on the injured list with right SI joint inflammation.
They have already announced who is taking his place on the roster while he recovers.
“The Dodgers recalled LHP Garrett Cleavinger and placed Clayton Kershaw on the injured list with right SI joint inflammation,” they tweeted.
The Dodgers recalled LHP Garrett Cleavinger and placed Clayton Kershaw on the injured list with right SI joint inflammation.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 13, 2022
The SI joint means sacroiliac joint, and it connects the hip bones (iliac crests) to the sacrum, the triangular bone between the lumbar spine and the tailbone.
There Is Still No Timetable For His Return
As of Friday afternoon, there is no telling how long the 34-year-old pitcher is going to be out, but with his injury history, it could be more than the 10 days minimum.
The team should offer more specifics about the injury shortly.
The injury announcement came out of nowhere: in fact, Kershaw was in line to start on Friday.
That’s obviously not going to happen now.
The left-hander was having an amazing season, an impressive feat considering he missed roughly half of last campaign with arm issues.
The Dodgers absolutely need him to hold off solid organizations like the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants.
But they can’t, shouldn’t, and won’t rush him back.
It’s certainly a rare injury for a pitcher, but Los Angeles should be thankful that it’s not his elbow or shoulder.
NEXT: Dodgers Pitcher Shares A Hype Video As His Return Nears