SAN DIEGO: A fast-paced bullpen-only session on Tuesday was followed by an aggressive catch game on Wednesday, which is expected to be followed by a fuller bullpen session on Friday. From there, Clayton Kershaw hopes to begin his buildup in hopes of returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers ’initial rotation.
But he doesn’t know how long it will take or how far he can get at this point in the season.
“As long as my elbow doesn’t hurt, we’re in a good place,” Kershaw said on the field before Wednesday’s game against the Padres at Petco Park. “It’s been frustrating, it’s been a long time. It shouldn’t have taken that long. It’s frustrating on my part. But I hope it can be on the fun side and help us in September and October.”
Kershaw has not released since July 3 due to an inflammation in his left elbow. True, he tried to back it up too quickly, suffering persistent pain after a simulated three-inning game just over three weeks later, and once again shut it down.
Kershaw, 33, in the final year of his contract, said it is too early to entertain the possibility of returning as a downloader because he is not built enough to take on a headline’s workload.
“I’ll do whatever it takes or wants,” Kershaw said. “My focus is to start again, but obviously I’ll do what I can.”
The Dodgers currently operate a four-man rotation that includes Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias and David Price, the latter of whom had spent most of the season throwing himself out of the bullring. Ideally, Kershaw would join this group and open games, even if it was only extended enough to navigate once or twice through an opposing lineup.
Even without Kershaw (and largely without Mookie Betts), the Dodgers went into Wednesday’s game against rival Division Padres with 14 wins in their last 16 games. They still follow the San Francisco Giants for first place in the National League West, but the Dodgers ’abundance of talent makes it clear they will be a force again in October.
Kershaw wants to get involved badly.
Winning a championship last year has not diminished that desire.
“Last year last year,” Kershaw said. “We want to win this year. And especially with the team we have, there are not many times in your career that you can have so much talent in a team to run. And who knows what it will be like next year and the A year later “Do you want to take advantage of it? Do you want to do everything you can to be part of it? Go ahead. But for now, I want to win this year.”