“We feel that there’s time for Clayton to make a couple, two, three starts for us”, Roberts said.
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The Dodgers have played remarkably well without their ace, going 26-17 and overtaking the rival Giants for the NL West lead.
Kershaw, who is on the 60-day disabled list with a herniated disk, threw off flat ground on Friday afternoon inside Great American Ball Park.
Kershaw will throw a bullpen session Saturday and Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. “I’ve been throwing for the last week-and-a-half, and I haven’t had any problems”.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was as happy to see Kershaw as Kershaw was to be with the team.
The left-hander wouldn’t compare his current state to how he felt before throwing to hitters in that sim-game a month ago. “Part of it is because he’s healthy and part of it is getting back with his teammates and getting reacquainted”.
“I gave it a shot the first time and we were all pretty aggressive with the whole thing”, he said. There were no signs that it would backfire, but it did. “But having different steps – getting to go on the road, getting to throw bullpens – kind of keeps you more optimistic”.
Kershaw was asked why he chose to rejoin his teammates in Cincinnati. He’s expected to throw 20-25 pitches in a bullpen session on Saturday and then 40 pitches on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw (back) said Friday that the Dodgers have a “good plan” in place that has him returning before the end of the regular season.
