On Wednesday, general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers Brandon Gomes provided a quick update on left-handed starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
He’s still a long way from facing hitters.
Kershaw has not been able to return to the mound since August 30 because of what the Dodgers have described as a bone spur in his toe. He’s had to modify his mechanics, which has led to more issues, because pushing off the rubber hurts.
“There’s only a percentage I can throw without other stuff starting to bother me because I’m throwing differently,” Kershaw stated on Thursday. “Whenever my toe feels better, I’m confident that I’ll be good.”
With Gomes’ update, Kershaw’s rehabilitation appears to be in a “holding pattern” that it entered on September 26.
“I’m not giving up,” Kershaw declared on Thursday. “I will continue to strive every day. One day, maybe, it will feel better. All I can do is wait for that day to come.”
Before deciding on the National League Division Series roster, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was aware that the left-hand starter wouldn’t be ready. He actually believed he was still a few weeks away.
“And then we’ll see what that looks like as far as our playoff push,” Roberts stated. “You still need to confront batters, throw a pen, and build up your strength. He’s only playing light catch right now, so I’m not sure. I’m not sure.
Working hard, Kershaw even threw a bullpen session last week with over 80 pitches when the Dodgers were in Miami. The 36-year-old left-hander said that he was just able to play catch at the moment, but he was able to get on the mound a couple more times when the squad arrived home last Friday.
Kershaw commented, “I feel like it’s progressing,” about his toe. “It’s just been obviously not as fast as I had hoped.”
Kershaw has experimented with a number of ways to keep his arm strength up while his toe heals, such as long workouts on level ground, utilizing a portable ramp, and changing up the angle at which he pitches a rubber.
The latter, though, has continued to cause him difficulties. Kershaw was recently given the assurance by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who operated on his shoulder during the offseason, that his toe will heal without the need for surgery.
Sadly, Kershaw does not have time on her side.
“I’m doing everything I can to keep my arm going,” Kershaw remarked. “I genuinely believe that I’ll be prepared to pitch once my toe heals. All I need to do is reach a level that is nearly 100% so that I can function normally.”
Leave a Reply