Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Likely done for regular season
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Kershaw (toe) is unlikely to come off the 15-day injured list to make a start before the regular season ends, though a return for the playoffs remains possible, MLB.com reports.
Since being placed on the IL on Aug. 31 due to a bone spur in his big toe, Kershaw has yet to resume throwing off a full mound. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, he doesn't look as though he'll have enough time to ramp up to a starter's workload before the end of September. A return during the wild-card round of the playoffs may be ambitious as well, but Kershaw could make it back for the NLDS, should the Dodgers advance that far in the postseason and if he's able to ratchet up the intensity of his throwing program in the coming weeks without any setbacks. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can feel comfortable moving on from Kershaw at this point in favor of a healthy pitcher.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Throws off mound Monday
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) was spotted throwing off a makeshift mound at Dodger Stadium on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Ardaya added that Kershaw was testing his ability to push off his big left toe by not wearing a shoe. It's another step in the right direction for Kershaw, who landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 31 due to a bone spur in his left big toe. A timeline for the veteran southpaw's return remains unclear.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Kershaw will need to wear a walking boot and is likely to require scans on his injured left big toe, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw was able to play catch Sunday just one day after landing on the 15-day injured list, which seemed like a good sign. However, the severity of the injury and potential timetable for Kershaw's return remains uncertain. The veteran left-hander will be eligible for activation Sept. 15.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Plays catch Sunday
Rotowire
Kershaw was spotted playing catch on the field prior to Sunday's 14-3 loss to the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Kershaw remains without a definitive timeline to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list, but the fact that he was able to do some throwing one day after being deactivated and two days after exiting his start against the Diamondbacks with a bone spur in his left big toe bodes well for a quick return. Manager Dave Roberts noted Saturday that the toe issue makes it difficult for Kershaw to move around, so the veteran southpaw may need to prove that he can comfortably field his position before the Dodgers have a better sense of when he might be activated. The Dodgers called up lefty Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday to fill Kershaw's spot in the rotation.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
The Dodgers placed Kershaw on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a bone spur in his left big toe.
Kershaw was forced out of his start Friday against the Diamondbacks in the second inning due to the injury, and manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the southpaw's toe has swollen to the point where it's hard for him to move around, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Kershaw will now be sidelined until at least Sept. 15, and the Dodgers will bring up Ben Casparius from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide extra coverage in the bullpen for the time being. The Dodgers haven't announced who will take Kershaw's spot in the starting rotation.
Kershaw was removed from Friday's game against the Diamondbacks with left big toe pain, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Kershaw was only able to get through one-plus innings Friday before his toe forced him out of the game, during which he surrendered three earned runs on three hits and a walk. The 36-year-old will presumably undergo further testing to determine if he's dealing with any structural damage, and his status for his next start is uncertain.
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Allows five runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Kershaw did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the Rays, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings while striking out five.
Kershaw struggled right out of the gate, allowing five consecutive batters to reach with one out in the opening frame, which would lead to four runs coming across for Tampa Bay. The veteran lefty would then hold the Rays scoreless over the next three innings before surrendering another run in the fifth, coughing up a season-high five earned runs overall on the night. The nine hits were also the most he's allowed on the campaign, though he was still able to make it through five innings for the third consecutive outing. Kershaw now carries a 2.95 ERA in August to go along with an 18:5 K:BB.
