As Corbin Carroll drove a hanging curveball high into the Phoenix night sky, a more ominous development was coming to fruition for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw, making just his seventh start in his return from the first major arm surgery of his career, was walking off with a trainer.
Kershaw left the second inning of Friday’s start against the Arizona Diamondbacks with left big toe pain. On Saturday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw is headed to the injured list.
“There’s so much swelling, he can barely move around with it,” Roberts said.
Once again, the Dodgers’ fragile starting rotation plans were thrown into flux.
Tyler Glasnow remains on the injured list with elbow tendonitis; while playing catch Friday represented a positive step, Roberts said this week they were still “hopeful,” not certain that he would return this season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has just started a rehab assignment for his strained rotator cuff. The options behind the half-billion dollar pitching duo have already thinned some, leaving the Dodgers to put plenty of the burden on trade deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty, rookie Gavin Stone and the surgically-repaired left shoulder of Kershaw.
For a Dodgers club that has played some of its best baseball this last month and finally appeared near full strength, it only exacerbates their biggest question mark.
Kershaw's Exit Exacerbates Rotation Concerns
A sign something was amiss: when Carroll’s ball landed in the visiting bullpen, Joe Kelly was already warming. Another: the two pitches Kershaw threw in the inning to Carroll were an 87.2 mph fastball and a 67.4 mph curveball. This was after a first inning in which Kershaw’s command looked off, allowing a pair of runs while walking a batter and hitting another.
Dodgers Face Rotation Woes
Kershaw's departure adds another layer of complexity to the Dodgers' already challenging rotation situation. The team has been relying heavily on the veteran left-hander's experience and leadership, particularly in the wake of Glasnow's and Yamamoto's injuries. While the Dodgers have a strong bullpen, their reliance on it could lead to fatigue and inconsistency. Roberts mentioned that the Dodgers will have to rely on a few pitchers they didn't plan on using Friday night. This could affect their usage in future games.
Dodgers' Rotation In Flux
The Dodgers' rotation woes are a growing concern. With Kershaw, Glasnow and Yamamoto all sidelined, the team is looking to other pitchers to step up. Flaherty and Stone will need to perform consistently, and the Dodgers might need to consider making a trade for another starting pitcher. The Dodgers face a challenging stretch of games in September, and their ability to maintain their lead in the NL West will depend on the health and performance of their pitching staff.
Kershaw's Toe Injury: A Setback for the Dodgers
Kershaw's toe injury is a setback for the Dodgers, but the team is hopeful that he will be able to return before the end of the season. The Dodgers have a strong team, but they need Kershaw to be healthy and pitching well if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs. This recent development is a reminder that injuries can derail even the best of plans, and the Dodgers will need to adapt and overcome this obstacle if they want to achieve their ultimate goal.
The Future of Kershaw
The Dodgers are a team with high aspirations. Their success will depend on the health and performance of their pitching staff. Kershaw's injury is a setback, but he's a tough competitor, and the team is confident that he will be able to return. The Dodgers have a deep roster, and they will be able to weather this storm. They are a team with a history of success, and they have the talent and determination to achieve their goals.
The Dodgers will be counting on Kershaw's return to bolster their starting rotation and enhance their chances of winning the NL West title. The team's success hinges on their ability to navigate this challenging period with the hope that Kershaw will return and contribute in the latter part of the season.
