Clayton Kershaw threw a 30-35 pitch bullpen session this afternoon, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times). It marked the star southpaw’s second bullpen work of the week, as he also tossed 35 pitches on Memorial Day. The team will monitor how Kershaw feels over the coming days, but it’s possible he heads out on a minor league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend.
Kershaw has been on the injured list since May 13 after experiencing some inflammation in the SI joint of his right hip area. The team initially expressed hope he’d be back after a minimal 15-day stint, although that proved untenable once the three-time Cy Young award winner experienced continued soreness. Now that he’s back on a mound and potentially nearing a rehab assignment, however, it seems as if he could be back at Dodger Stadium by the middle of the month. Before the injury, Kershaw had been characteristically excellent, posting a 1.80 ERA through five starts.
Some more health situations of note:
- The Mariners placed outfielder Kyle Lewis on the seven-day concussion injured list, retroactive to May 29, before tonight’s game against the Orioles. There’s no indication the 26-year-old is in for a long-term absence, but it’s another health setback for a player who has dealt with more than his fair share of injuries. Lewis’ previous issues have typically been related to his right knee, and he only made his season debut on May 24 after he missed the final few months of last season due to a meniscus tear and a bone bruise in the joint. To take Lewis’ spot on the active roster, infielder Abraham Toro is back from the 10-day IL. The switch-hitting Toro is off to a disappointing .179/.237/.366 start through 135 plate appearances. He missed the minimal amount of time on the shelf recovering from a left shoulder sprain.
- The Red Sox placed reliever Matt Barnes on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 31, before this evening’s contest with the Reds. He’s dealing with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. It’ll be a reset opportunity for Barnes, whose struggles down the stretch last season have carried over into this year. Through 20 games, the right-hander has a 7.94 ERA with nearly as many walks as strikeouts. That’s on the heels of a 6.48 ERA in the second half of 2021, an out-of-the-blue downturn for a pitcher who earned a deserved All-Star nod during a dominant first-half performance. Barnes signed a two-year, $18.75MM extension last July — a deal that looked team-friendly at the time but has gone immediately haywire. To take Barnes’ spot on the roster, fellow reliever Matt Strahm has been reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list following a two-day absence.
Barnes falling apart immediately after that first half a head scratcher
Fortunately he only signed a two-year contract.
Could it be the lack of sticky stuff?
I don’t recall that the timing was right for that but maybe.
No, the decline stared right around the All Star Game
Umm … Barnes had Covid for 3 weeks and then cut off part of his thumb while making a cheese and pepper omelet.
Most likely one or both of those events has had a lingering effect on the guy.
I got covid back in January and even now I deal with excess mucus build up in my lungs when I lay down. My lungs have not recovered fully, granted I’m an asthmatic. Long covid is a real thing so this might be true for Barnes.
King – I absolutely agree, ERod got long Covid and was out for a year because of it.
Also having to adjust to a shortened thumb is a big deal for a ML pitcher, he may not be able to get a good grip anymore.
He was never that good before. Unfortunately he’s never been this bad before either
Pedey – He most definitely was good before.
You don’t average over 14K’s per 9 IP during a 4-year span without being good.
Notice I said “that good.” I was referring to the first half of last year. He was always a good pitcher but not an elite closer-type outside of the first half of last year.
Pedey – Okay so you meant “as good as the first half of last year”, yes I agree he was at his best then.
He didn’t have a real opportunity to become a solid closer until the joke of a 2020 season, a year in which there weren’t many save opportunities to be had.
And remember Kimbrel was the guy thru 2018, then the Sox punted on the 2019 season with another foolish “closer by committee” experiment in which Workman received most of the save opportunities.
So I just don’t think it’s fair to say Barnes was lucky or fluky the first half of last season. We will never know how things would have turned out if the two unfortunate events that happened to him last year had never happened.
Matty B: “suckers!”
Wow Kershaw injured?? Who would of thought? Well hopefully he can come back in time to win 15 games so the Dodgers can bring him out of the bullpen during the playoffs and blow another chance at a title.
This is too painfully true
That’s what they get for bringing him back.
Kershaw deserved to retire a Dodger
Not sure if hitting Lewis was on purpose but it was the inning after Marco hit Bergman I think. He hit him in the back with a 75 mph curve. Lewis got hit in the shoulder head by a fastball. Was surprised he stayed in the game. I was also surprised and a bit disappointed nobody did anything. They should have done something getting hit the next inning is a bit sketchy.
Seattle NEVER retaliated unfortunately…they never do.
I believe you’re thinking of two different games
Los Karens could use Kershaw back soon.
Your mommy is calling, she made your Kraft Mac n cheese
Thanks. Your comment made the Pirates sweep even sweeter
Oh dude they SUCKED this week, it was depressing