Clayton Kershaw was in the midst of a rehab assignment last month when the Los Angeles Dodgers shut him down due to left shoulder soreness following a start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
The left-hander underwent an MRI that did not reveal a new injury and he since resumed a throwing program. Kershaw threw a successful bullpen session on the Fourth of July and faced batters in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium prior to the team’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 36-year-old is now on track to begin a second rehab assignment.
“I could see a three (inning outing) and then a four, and then, I think for us, depending on where we’re at, have a conversation if it makes sense for him to join us. So, I think that’s fair,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the next steps for Kershaw.
Kershaw had been tentatively scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City after his outing with the Quakes in June. He allowed one run and collected five strikeouts in three innings of work in the outing with Rancho Cucamonga.
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It represented Kershaw’s first time on a mound since a disastrous outing in Game 1 of the 2023 National League Division Series.
“I don’t want to say it’s been miserable, because I’ve gotten to spend time with my family and have a lot more family time and be able to hang out with them more,” Kershaw said of his lengthy recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.
“But I mean, yeah. You don’t feel like you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Even though it was kind of part of the deal with the surgery where you knew you’d be out for some time.
“Being around more now, getting closer, and kind of tasting being able to be back out there, each day is starting to be a little bit more tedious. I get it. I mean, rehab is not fun. Guys have had to do it over and over again. It’s a grind mentally, for sure. A little more respect for guys that have come back from big stuff all the time.
“I’m ready to be done with it, but we’ve got a little more time to go.”
Clayton Kershaw expects ‘to be good’
When Kershaw returns to the Dodgers, he is expecting a lot from himself on the mound. The three-time Cy Young Award winner said that he wants to perform well and won’t settle for anything less as he returns from significant surgery.
