**Clayton Kershaw Experiences Setback but Avoids Major Injury in Rehab Progress**
Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw has had a slight setback in his return from shoulder surgery, experiencing some soreness following his initial rehab start in Single-A. While this development might raise concerns, recent scans have thankfully revealed no fresh damage to his shoulder. Although his timeline to return to Major League Baseball is now slightly delayed, pushing his expected comeback to late July or early August, the situation appears manageable.
After experiencing the discomfort, Kershaw took a step back from his rehabilitation schedule to rest and undergo further evaluation. He returned to action with a simulated game at Dodger Stadium, indicating his readiness to possibly resume official rehab starts as early as next week, should all continue to go well.
Manager Dave Roberts has expressed caution, emphasizing that the team plans to avoid rushing Kershaw back to the mound given the delicate nature of his recovery and his paramount importance to the team. Roberts projected that Kershaw might need at least two more rehab starts before the team would consider activating him.
**Other Injury Updates for Dodgers: Muncy and Heyward Sidelined**
In other Dodgers injury news, infielder Max Muncy’s path to recovery has been less optimistic. After attempting to resume baseball activities, Muncy is still encountering significant discomfort, particularly with any rotational movements. As a result, he has been fully shut down once again with no clear timetable for his return, as per Dave Roberts’ latest updates.
Additionally, outfielder Jason Heyward has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a knee bone bruise suffered in a previous game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This injury marks another setback for Heyward, who had already missed considerable time earlier this season due to back tightness.
Fortunately, medical tests did not reveal any tears, and Roberts hopes that Heyward could return within one to two weeks. Meanwhile, outfielder James Outman has been recalled from Triple-A following his impressive performance in the minors.
As the Dodgers navigate through these injury woes, they remain cautious with their players, taking strides to ensure full recoveries before returning to play. The team’s depth and management of player health will be crucial as they aim to maintain their competitiveness through the rest of the season.
