Despite being faced with the realization that he won’t be making his ninth consecutive opening day start, Dodgers‘ ace Clayton Kershaw continues to progress towards game action.
On Wednesday, Kershaw threw a 22-pitch bullpen, three days after throwing a 38-pitch bullpen when he used his full arsenal of pitches. In Wednesday’s session, Kersh faced live hitters, as Joc Pederson, Max Muncy and David Freese all assumed spots in the batters box.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported on Wednesday that Kershaw “sounded patient after his throwing session, conceding he hasn’t had a spring training and needs a methodical progression to rebuild arm strength before returning.”
According to Gurnick, Kershaw estimated 20 days until he’ll be ready for big league action.
When Kershaw was asked about his thoughts regarding the end of his consecutive opening day starting streak, the three-time Cy Young Award winner replied, “I had a good run.”
Skipper Dave Roberts, who confirmed to reporters earlier in the week that Kersh will begin the season on the injured list, said on Wednesday that his lefty “felt good and that CK was positive after his session.”
Roberts added that Kershaw will pitch two innings in another batting practice session in another five days.
In his pregame chat with the media on Wednesday, Roberts still did not reveal the team’s opening day starter, but he did confirm that it would not be young righty Walker Buehler, who figures to be the team’s “ace-in-waiting.”
In other news, Alanna Rizzo announced that Chase Utley will be joining the SportsNetLA broadcast team for a select number of games during the upcoming campaign.
Wednesday’s Cactus League lineup vs. Cubs:
- Pollock CF
- Turner 3B
- Seager SS
- Hernández 2B
- Bellinger RF
- Taylor LF
- Barnes C
- Rios 1B
- May P
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM Los Angeles time.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
I find this meaningless. I could pitch bullpen sessions. We have yet to hear why he isn’t ready. He last pitched nearly 5 months ago. Unless there is an injury, that is plenty of time to rest up after a long season.
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I wonder if they considered asking Kersh to take a physical before he signed his deal during the offseason.
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Wasn’t it reported that Kersh had a bad shoulder and took,some anti inflammatory meds and was shut down for 2 weeks. And now he’s slowly building up his workload and should be back by mid April.
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Yes. But no explanation was given as to why, after several months off, he would need anti inflammatory injections.
Something ain’t right here.
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Still can’t believe they didn’t do an MRI.
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I read CK had been working on trying to get his velocity back up,during the off season, that’s why his shoulder started bothering him. It was mostly mechanics he was working on, but there you go.
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Boy, Taylor just having a terrible spring. Could it be possible that he loses his spot on the opening roster?
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Maybe Von Scoyoc has betrayed him, Rich.
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As bad as Taylor’s spring is, Pederson, and Muncy are worse. Muncy is hitting .143 with no homers and just 5 hits. Pederson is hitting .175. Joc has 3 dingers. Problem is that all 3 of those guys are striking out too much. Taylor has 18 K’s, Joc has 15, and Muncy,, who did not strike out much last year has 13. Bellinger is only hitting .233. Turner and Kike best among the regulars. Offense really has not been that consistent.
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The shoulder is a very complicated joint. It’s actually 3 joints, 3 bones and about 9 muscles that connect in an extremely complex manner. There is a lot that can go wrong with the shoulder, especially in a pitcher. The question is the same … what is the diagnosis? There isn’t one yet really. Inflammation? Inflammation of what? The rotator cuff? Bursitis? Tendinitis? Which tendon? Impingement? Instability? Arthritis?
Get the MRI already. If he needs further medical procedures they should be done right away.
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Scoop my shoulder started hurting just reading your description of my shoulder! Van “what’s his name” doesn’t seem to be working any magic with in his new job. Meanwhile check out the stats on the 5 ex Dodgers in Cincy! Wonder who their hitting coach is?
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I reviewed my exercise physiology notes and discovered there are actually 4 joints in the shoulder. I forgot the scapulothoracic joint. My bad scappy.
https://www.arthritis-health.com/types/joint-anatomy/shoulder-joint-structure
A lot can go wrong. Maybe it’s just simple inflammation and steroids plus rest will be enough. And maybe the Dodgers already know the seriousness and aren’t talking. Business decision. If fans know Kershaw is done it will affect ticket sales, the effect of which is less money to the corporation. (I think I got that verb noun thing right. Never really sure of that)
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I venture to say management is coddling Kershaw for whatever reasons. Dodger brass is doing just that—dodging the inevitable!
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