As Clayton Kershaw readies to rejoin Dodgers’ rotation, Julio Urías builds up
LOS ANGELES ― The two pitchers the Dodgers were counting on to lead their rotation began the day Thursday having started one game between them in the previous two weeks.
Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías might well become the pitchers who Manager Dave Roberts envisaged before season’s end, but he effectively conceded that neither is built up to be a staff ace at the moment.
The good news: Urías started Thursday’s game against the Oakland A’s, successfully avoiding the injured list after nursing an issue with his left index finger. He allowed only three hits and no runs over five innings.
Kershaw, meanwhile, is expected to start next week for the first time since a shoulder injury sent him to the injured list more than a month ago.
A four-inning simulated game yielded better command, movement, and velocity than Kershaw demonstrated in his previous simulated outing, Roberts said. It went well enough that the three-time Cy Young Award-winner is not expected to need a minor-league rehabilitation game before rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation.
“I think we’re at the stage where we feel he can pitch in a major league game,” Roberts said. “There has to be some build-up. He’s going to find a way. I understand he doesn’t have pain, which is important. He’s not perfect, but he’s still Clayton and he still wants to help his team win baseball games.”
Kershaw will throw a bullpen session before the Dodgers decide whether to insert him in their rotation Tuesday or Wednesday in Phoenix, or during the following homestand against the Colorado Rockies.
Kershaw threw approximately 60 pitches over the four-inning sim game. Given the usual progression, he could be expected to throw 75 pitches over five innings in his next start.
Urías threw 68 pitches against the A’s in his first start since July 25. He had only thrown one bullpen in the meantime.
“I don’t know how much we can push him,” Roberts said of Urías. “He understands that we need him to be good.”
While Kershaw and Urías rebuild their stamina, the Dodgers’ other starting pitchers – Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Lance Lynn and Tony Gonsolin – will be expected to pick up the slack. Those four have combined for a 5.25 ERA this season.
ALSO
Designated hitter J.D. Martinez took batting practice and is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday, Roberts said. … Walker Buehler is expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday in San Diego, Roberts said, and could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment soon thereafter. Buehler hasn’t pitched this season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair. He is targeting a September return to the Dodgers’ rotation. … Two Dodgers minor leaguers claimed the Triple-A Pacific Coast League’s monthly awards for July. Michael Busch was named Player of the Month after slashing .324/.434/.696 with 11 home runs for Oklahoma City. Mike Montgomery was named Pitcher of the Month after posting a 1.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and .132 opponents’ batting average in 22⅓ innings. … Jake Gelof, the Dodgers’ second-round draft pick in June, was promoted to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga from the Arizona Complex League. He is the highest 2023 draft pick to have reached the California League. … Kendall George, the Dodgers’ first pick in the June draft, was among the batters who faced Kershaw in the simulated game.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 6-2, 4.37 ERA) at Padres (RHP Yu Darvish, 8-7, 4.53 ERA), Friday, 6:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM