Dodgers fans got some good news about the veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw today, as manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Jack Harris of the LA Times) this afternoon. The lefty pitched three innings without giving up a hit in his rehab start at the Triple-A level yesterday, striking out five while walking one. According to Roberts, Kershaw will try to build on this strong outing on Friday with a four to five inning start. If that rehab start goes well, the manager went on to suggest that the lefty could return to the majors to make his debut in 2024.
A return to the Dodgers right after the All-Star break would be a positive outcome for Kershaw, who has been sidelined in rehab for the past three weeks due to shoulder pain. His start last night was his first since going back after the lockout, and the fact that he looks set to return suggests that the pain that has been lingering on the sideline has completely evaporated. The future Hall of Famer's return to action won't come soon enough for the Dodgers, as the poor state of the club's pitching staff has led them to call up the right-handed prospect. Ryan River just 16 1/3 innings into his season at the Triple-A level.
With both Kershaw and Ryan seemingly poised to join the club's rotation as post-break reinforcements, the Dodgers are hoping the two can mesh with the existing quartet of veterans. James Paxton and rookies Gavin Stone, Landon Knackagain Justin Wrobleski managing the first tasks until ace righty Tyler Glasnow ready to return to the injured list. Walker Buehler again Yoshinobu Yamamoto they are both in the IL but are expected to return to the majors at some point this season, while still in the minors Bobby Miller was sent to Triple-A recently despite a reduced rotation mix thanks to a brutal 8.07 ERA in seven starts this year.
Kershaw isn't the only veteran helping the Dodgers return to IL after the break, as Harris once again passes on that (according to Roberts) quarterback. Jason Heyward will be ready to return to action after the All Star break and will not need a refresher course before returning to the ranks. The 34-year-old has taken a step back this year compared to his incredibly strong 2023 campaign but is still league average at the plate with a .203/.299/.398 slash line in 42 games this season.
Heyward's return should add depth to an infield mix that relies on a struggling youngster James Outman in recent days. Outman entered the Dodgers' most likely season after a stellar 2023 season but struggled in the early weeks of the season, leading the Dodgers to option him in mid-May. While he's improved on his once brutal .147/.250/.266 slash line since returning earlier this month, Outman's .273/.333/.273 line in six games since returning to the majors hasn't exactly inspired confidence. his ability to regain a regular role with the Dodgers, and the return of a solid bat like Heyward's should be a relief to a Dodgers team that has struggled at times to get production from the bottom of its lineup this year.
Heyward joined in making progress on the star's recovery Mookie Betts, Roberts told reporters (including Harris) that he has begun checking on players as he rehabs his broken left hand. The bet has been on the shelf since mid-June and is expected for 6-8 weeks and is not expected to return until August. It looks like he's well on his way to making that comeback, as Roberts noted (per MLB.com's Injury Tracker) that the 31-year-old is “pleased” with the progress he's making.
Betts was in the midst of an MVP-caliber season before his injury, slashing an impressive .304/.405/.488 in 72 games that made it all the more impressive that he was simultaneously making a seamless transition into being. everyday shortstop in LA this season. Miguel Rojas He has looked good on both sides of the ball in an expanded role since Betts went on the shelf, however, which means the star could spend more time at his familiar spot of second base or right field when he returns.
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