Without Yoshinobu Yamamoto & Walker Buehler over the past week, in addition to Clayton Kershaw’s year-long absence to date, the Los Angeles Dodgers are working short out of the rotation. Earlier this week, it looked like the team might’ve been on the fast track in getting some help. Kershaw’s rehab start was excellent across three innings of work at Single-A.
While the team didn’t expect him back before, say, the end of June, the effectiveness of his start appeared to bode well for a pre-August return. Just a few days later, however, it doesn’t appear that the timeline is looking as encouraging. Kershaw is still reportedly dealing with soreness following the outing, having since thrown an additional bullpen.
Because of that, the team is reportedly considering pushing back his next rehab start. Details are still unclear, but that doesn’t appear to present the same level of optimism as we might’ve thought earlier this week. It’s a setback that doesn’t hold him out of a return this summer, but the notion that he could be back faster than anticipated appears to be dissolving quickly.
From a rotation aspect, it’s not ideal. Landon Knack stepped in as the team’s fifth starter, but he represents sort of the last of the depth as far as the starting group is concerned. That leaves Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, James Paxton, and Bobby Miller as the remainder of the group. It’s becoming an imperative that the five now stay healthy.
On the positive side, at least, the team received positive updates on a pair of relievers this week. Both Dustin May & Brusdar Graterol threw bullpen sessions that were characterized as “promising.” May is working his way back from Tommy John, while Graterol is recovering from a spring shoulder injury.
It’s a positive development, but unlike the starting rotation, the Dodgers are in a more comfortable situation in working these two relievers back. The depth there isn’t as scarce as it is for the rotation, meaning that the timeline can continue to maintain as steady, rather than requiring hope that either rehab process can be more accelerated.
Ultimately, the Dodgers are still in a fine spot. Both sides of the pitching staff have fared well for the majority of the year. The only concern at this point is the depth. With the trade deadline approaching, there’s a significant chance the team could seek outside help in order to solve that concern. In the interim, though, they’ll have to monitor the group’s continued rehab work down on the farm in the waiting game for reinforcements.
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