Right now, the Los Angeles Dodgers need healthy pitchers more than ever. Blake Snell leads a lengthy list of injured Dodgers pitchers after just one month of the 2025 MLB season.
Among the numerous injuries is veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw. His last MLB appearance was in August of last year as he missed the rest of the year due to a toe injury.
However, Kershaw made his Triple-A 2025 debut in the middle of April, which was a big step towards his return to the big league club.
On Tuesday, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman gave a positive update on Kershaw.
“Kershaw could be back May 18,” said Heyman. “He looked good in spring to me, he’s pitching in the minors, looks good. So that’s good news."
Whenever Kershaw returns, Dave Roberts has some shifting to do, and it could mean moving one of Tony Gonsolin or Dustin May to the bullpen, as Sonja Chen of MLB.com mentioned.
"I would guess that Kershaw returns before Ohtani, which could mark the first tough rotation decision the Dodgers have to make. That could potentially mean shifting Gonsolin or Dustin May to long relief, an option that was on the table when both were competing for the fifth starter role in spring."
The Dodgers face the Los Angeles Angels on May 18 in the last of a three-game set before they face the Arizona Diamondbacks at home. So, Kershaw returning that soon is certainly an encouraging sign for LA.
In 2024, Kershaw went just 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven games before being shut down with the injury. In 2023, he made 24 starts with a 2.46 ERA and a 13-5 record, so there is some excitement with him set to return.
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