URGENT NEWS: Clayton Kershaw soreness, missing Max Muncy, Miguel Vargas

Dodgers Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw may or may not start on Tuesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City in Reno, in what would be his second minor league rehab start. The Dodgers are monitoring the left-hander after some soreness after his start for Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday.

Kershaw struck out five and allowed a run in three innings in his start in Low-A on Wednesday, which was his first game since shoulder surgery last November. Kershaw pitched what manager Dave Roberts termed a “light” between-starts bullpen session on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, as the club determined whether the soreness after Wednesday’s start was residual soreness that is normal after a start, or if this is something else.

“For me, it’s talking to him, talking to the training staff, and making sure he feels good to make catch play [Sunday],” Roberts said. “If he feels good tomorrow, great. If he doesn’t, then we’ll just keep kicking the can down the road until he’s ready.”

Kershaw will play catch Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Whether he starts Tuesday in Reno or at some point later, he’ll need at least two more rehab starts to fully stretch out before any possible return to the Dodgers. But the Dodgers have been adamant about not setting any sort of hard timetable on Kershaw’s return.

“We have time, and that’s the thing for us,” Roberts said “You have to defer to Clayton and the training staff, most importantly.”

Missing Muncy

The Dodgers moved third baseman Max Muncy to the 60-day injured list on Friday, which officially keeps him out until after the All-Star break. Roberts characterized the transaction as a paper move, as that was Muncy’s timeline anyway as his recovery from a strained oblique has taken some time.

Roberts said Muncy has been “stir crazy” waiting for his injury to heal, and noted how much the club has missed him in the lineup.

“Certainly there’s some strikeouts, there’s some swing and miss,” Roberts said, “But I just think having the presence of a guy that can change the game with one swing, and it puts guys, in my opinion, in their rightful parts of the lineup.”

As a team, the Dodgers through May 15, when Muncy was active, averaged 5.27 runs per game, second in the majors. Since then without him, the team is averaging 4.67 runs per game, 11th in MLB.

Since Muncy last played, Dodgers third basemen are hitting a combined .152/.234/.223 in 33 games through Friday. At the moment, the position is staffed by a platoon of the lefty-hitting Cavan Biggio and right-handed Kiké Hernández.

Third base is the position Miguel Vargas played most in the minors, with 311 starts and 2,734 defensive innings in his career, though he started just 20 games at the hot corner in Triple-A plus one inning in the majors in 2023. This year, Vargas has only played left field in the minors and majors.

Roberts said there are no plans for Vargas to see time at third base.

“I know he’s been taking grounders over there just to work on his hands and his feet,” Roberts said. “But right now, at this moment in time, he’s going to focus on playing left field versus left-handed pitching.”

Related Posts

“Shocking Reveal: Maya Hawke Cast as Wiress in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping’ – What Secrets Will She Uncover? Fans Are Stunned by This Unexpected Choice in the Epic Prequel. Will She Redefine the Iconic Role? Find Out More!

“Shocking Reveal: Maya Hawke Cast as Wiress in ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping’ – What Secrets Will She Uncover? Fans Are Stunned by This Unexpected…

Shocking Revelation: Fans Uncover Secret Strictly Come Dancing Move for Giovanna Fletcher During Jaw-Dropping ‘Anniversary’ Milestone Celebration! You Won’t Believe What They Found in This Unforgettable Moment!

Shocking Revelation: Fans Uncover Secret Strictly Come Dancing Move for Giovanna Fletcher During Jaw-Dropping ‘Anniversary’ Milestone Celebration! You Won’t Believe What They Found in This Unforgettable Moment!…

Lauren Sanchez’s 17-Year-Old Daughter Transforms into Her Famous Mom in Stunning Family Photo! You Won’t Believe the Uncanny Resemblance in This Jaw-Dropping Snapshot with Siblings—See How She’s Becoming a Mirror Image of the Glamorous Star!

Lauren Sanchez’s 17-Year-Old Daughter Transforms into Her Famous Mom in Stunning Family Photo! You Won’t Believe the Uncanny Resemblance in This Jaw-Dropping Snapshot with Siblings—See How She’s…

Unbelievable! André Rieu & The Platin Tenors Will Leave You Speechless with Their Jaw-Dropping Rendition of Granada! Witness the Johann Strauss Orchestra Ignite the Stage as the Tenors Unleash Raw Emotion in This Stunning Performance of Agustín Lara’s Classic, Captivating Hearts Globally!

Unbelievable! André Rieu & The Platin Tenors Will Leave You Speechless with Their Jaw-Dropping Rendition of Granada! Witness the Johann Strauss Orchestra Ignite the Stage as the…

Mario Lanza’s Jaw-Dropping Tenor Steals the Show in The Great Caruso! Witness a Heart-Stopping Performance of Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento with an All-Star Cast. Dorothy Kirsten, Blanche Thebom, and More Create Unforgettable Magic—Is This the Greatest Operatic Scene in Film History? Don’t Miss It!

Mario Lanza’s Jaw-Dropping Tenor Steals the Show in The Great Caruso! Witness a Heart-Stopping Performance of Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento with an All-Star Cast. Dorothy…

Unbelievable! ‘Die Juliska Aus Budapest’ Explodes with Passion in André Rieu’s Jaw-Dropping Show! Soprano Carla Maffioletti Stuns with Fiery Vocals and Infectious Charm, Igniting the Stage. Rieu’s Orchestra Unleashes Wild Rhythms, Blending Humor and Drama in a Whirlwind of Joy—You Won’t Believe Your Eyes!

Unbelievable! ‘Die Juliska Aus Budapest’ Explodes with Passion in André Rieu’s Jaw-Dropping Show! Soprano Carla Maffioletti Stuns with Fiery Vocals and Infectious Charm, Igniting the Stage. Rieu’s…