Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (LA Dodgers), the ace of blue blood who successfully played in his first rehabilitation game, is now in dire need of Kershaw’s return, as Dodgers are agonizing over starting rotation due to injuries to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler.
Kershaw made his first comeback to the Major League after playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a single-A team under the Dodgers, on Tuesday. Kershaw took the mound against the Inland Empire Sixers on the day and held the game for two hits, one walk, five strikeouts and one run. He pitched 36 pitches and the strike-ball ratio was 26-10. The Associated Press reported that Kershaw’s fastball speed was between 88 and 90 miles, and he will take the mound in the Minor League several more times before joining the Dodgers.
First of all, ahead of this season, Yamamoto, who was acquired for 12 years and $325 million, the largest contract in pitcher history, left due to rotator cuff damage in his right shoulder. The departure of Yamamoto, who had been one of the pillars of the Dodgers’ starting rotation with 6 wins and 2 losses and a 2.92 ERA before the departure, was a big blow to the Dodgers. 토토사이트 순위
On top of that, Walker Buehler, the “original ace” who returned after two years of rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, was also listed on the injured list (IL) due to a right hip injury on the 20th when Kershaw made his first appearance in the rehabilitation game.
They did not go until the decision to rule out the season, as they were deemed unnecessary to undergo surgery. However, it is certain that it will take quite some time before they return. With the departure of the two, Dodgers will be left with Tyler Glasnow, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade, and veteran left-hander James Paxton. Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller have been deployed in the rotation, but these two are not enough.
Against this backdrop, Kershaw’s condition is important for Dodgers as he started full-fledged rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. Initially, Kershaw seemed to have to wait a little longer to return to his team after the All-Star Game break, but he recovered faster than expected and started his first Minor League rehabilitation game on Tuesday after playing simulation pitching. Then, he threw successfully.
If Kershaw returns from his rehab appearance safely, the Dodgers can also add Miller and Stone to Glasnow-Kershaw-Paxston to set up a rotation to endure until Yamamoto and Buehler return.
Kershaw signed a one-plus-one-year contract with the Dodgers after the last season. Since he had to undergo surgery, it was difficult for the Dodgers to immediately sign a long-term contract. At this point, however, it seems that not missing Kershaw was the best choice for the Dodgers.