Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw said Friday that he probably won’t return from a sore left shoulder until August.
Kershaw was placed on the disabled list on July 3 and underwent an MRI after consulting with Los Angeles’ chief team physician, Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The 35-year-old left-hander expected to return soon after the All-Star break, but now says he needs time to recover.
“I’ve never had anything like this in my career,” Kershaw said. “If I didn’t get an MRI, I’d probably be pitching this weekend, but I did, and it showed enough that the doctors said I needed to take a few weeks off, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
The Dodgers did not announce what the MRI revealed, and Kershaw seemed frustrated by the diagnosis. He played catch Friday and said he was going to throw a bullpen session next week in Baltimore.
“He just needs to heal,” Kershaw said. “You don’t need to be specific. We’re not doctors here. We just have to listen to doctors. So try to do your best, but it’s weird.”
Kershaw was selected to his 10th All-Star team, tying him for the most in franchise history. He attended the game in Seattle despite not being able to pitch.
Kershaw earned his 10th win, tied for second in the National League, with six scoreless innings in his final start against Colorado on June 27. He is 10-4 this season with 105 strikeouts and a 2.55 ERA. He hadn’t missed a start before going on the disabled list.
“I don’t think anyone has an exact return time, but it will be a slower progression that I’m sure Clayton doesn’t love,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said.
Also Friday, Los Angeles activated Chris Taylor from the disabled list and added outfielder Jake Marisnick to the roster, among a flurry of moves before opening a three-game series with the New York Mets.
Taylor was activated after missing 15 games with right knee pain and playing two minor league rehab games. He is hitting .206 with 11 home runs and 26 RBIs in 59 games this season. Last season, the utility man hit .221 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs in 118 games.
Los Angeles added Marisnick after Detroit cut him outright on Thursday. With Detroit, Marisnick hit .232 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 33 games.
Marisnick was on the 2017 Houston Astros, whose cheating allegations were uncovered after the 2019 season. The Dodgers weren’t concerned about his tie to that team because he wasn’t on their postseason roster.
“I like Jake, and I think he’s had to deal with it for a long time and he also has some remorse about it, which is probably all you can ask for right now,” Kershaw said.
The Dodgers also transferred Shelby Miller to the 60-day disabled list and sent outfielder Jonny DeLuca to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Miller went 1–1 with a 2.40 ERA in 25 relief appearances before being placed on the disabled list on June 21 with neck pain.
Deluca batted .212 with one home run and three RBIs in 20 games for the Dodgers.
Associated Press report.
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