With the postseason getting underway subsequent week, the Dodgers determine to be with out Clayton Kershaw no less than into the center of October. Supervisor Dave Roberts instructed reporters (together with Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic) that the longer term Corridor of Famer is “not going to be viable for a pair weeks.” Kershaw has been out since late August on account of bone spurs in his left large toe.
Roberts stated earlier within the week that the three-time Cy Younger winner was in a “holding sample” on his rehab. That didn’t bode effectively for his availability for the beginning of the playoffs. That’s a lock now. The Dodgers would clinch the NL West and a first-round bye with a win over the Padres tonight. Assuming they wrap up the division — both tonight or throughout their weekend sequence in Colorado — they’ll punch their ticket to a Division Sequence starting subsequent weekend.
Kershaw clearly isn’t going to be prepared by that time. The NLCS begins on October 13. Roberts’ timeline leaves open the opportunity of Kershaw returning for that sequence if the Dodgers get there, nevertheless it’s removed from assured. The Dodgers have already dominated out Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone via your complete postseason. Kershaw’s return appears questionable at finest.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty will take the ball in some order for the primary two video games of the postseason. Rookie righty Landon Knack in all probability strains up as L.A.’s Recreation 3 starter. The Dodgers haven’t managed to get Walker Buehler on observe, whereas Bobby Miller pitched so poorly that he was optioned again to Triple-A just a few weeks in the past.
Kershaw’s common season concludes with a 4.50 ERA over 30 innings. He didn’t make his season debut till shortly after the All-Star Break as he accomplished rehab from final November’s shoulder surgical procedure. He made seven begins. That’s vital from a contractual perspective. Kershaw’s two-year, $10MM deal contained a ton of incentives. He tacked on $2.5MM to this 12 months’s $5MM base wage. Attending to seven begins additionally added $5MM in escalators to subsequent 12 months’s participant choice. That choice was initially valued at $5MM however will land at $10MM; Kershaw may increase that as excessive as $25MM if he makes 25 begins subsequent 12 months.
The Dodgers supplied just a few further harm updates this night. Miguel Rojas, who left final evening’s recreation, stated that he’s been recognized with {a partially} torn left adductor (groin) muscle (X hyperlink by way of Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Instances). The veteran infielder stated he’ll must bear surgical procedure within the offseason however believes he’ll be capable to play via it throughout the postseason. Rojas has emerged as Roberts’ beginning shortstop because of his defensive reliability and a stable .283/.337/.410 exhibiting on the plate. He gained’t play tonight. Tommy Edman strikes in to play shortstop whereas Andy Pages steps into the lineup in middle area.
The bullpen can be taking successful. Roberts stated that righty Brusdar Graterol goes again on the 15-day injured checklist attributable to shoulder irritation (by way of Jack Harris of the L.A. Instances). Graterol has battled shoulder issues courting again to Spring Coaching. He additionally misplaced just a few weeks late within the 12 months to a hamstring pressure. The hard-throwing sinkerballer has been restricted to seven appearances, throughout which he has thrown 7 2/3 frames of two-run ball. Graterol was the most effective relievers in MLB final 12 months, delivering a 1.20 ERA throughout 67 1/3 frames.
