It appears that the Los Angeles Dodgers will be without its ace pitcher for some time, as Clayton Kershaw has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, and it is unclear as to whether he will be able to return when he’s immediately eligible.
Kershaw is heading to the DL due to issues with back pain, and the decision was made after treatments failed to yield comfort to the pitcher’s ailing back issues.
Kershaw received an epidural injection for pain, but the club did not release an injury diagnosis. All back injuries are different, but Scott Van Slyke missed nearly two months with a lower back injury and said he needed one month after receiving an epidural injection before he felt 100 percent.
Kershaw had been receiving treatment for the condition for two weeks, but reported more discomfort Monday after losing to the Pirates Sunday night.
The Dodgers would certainly love nothing more than to get heir best pitcher back at 100 percent, and need to consider the prospect of having him sidelined more than the 15 days. If Kershaw is indeed forced to miss extended time beyond the 15 days, the Dodgers will certainly need to be preparing to potentially be without its ace pitcher for an extended period if they want to get him back on the mound at his best.
This year, Kershaw has a 1.79 ERA, 145 strikeouts, and just nine walks in 121 innings for the Dodgers, leading the majors in ERA and innings pitched, while ranking second behind Max Scherzer of the Nationals in strikeouts. He joins four fellow starting pitchers on the DL for the Dodgers in Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Alex Wood.
While not anywhere near a replacement for Kershaw, the Dodgers acquired Bud Norris from the Braves on Thursday in an attempt to stop the bleeding in the rotation.
#Dodgers have acquired RHP Bud Norris, OF Dian Toscano, a player to be named later and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 30, 2016
[MLB]
