Dodgers News: Surgery Not Inevitable for Clayton Kershaw, Says Dave Roberts
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Clayton Kershaw pitched yesterday and he had a noticeable drop in velocity across the board on all his pitches.
Kershaw ended his night with a final tally of 5 innings pitched 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 5 walks, and 3 strikeouts. All of his earned runs were from home runs.
The 35-year-old veteran was struggling out there and fans could quickly tell that he is not 100%.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was questioned about the ace's shoulder and if he possibly may need surgery similar to his teammate Tony Gonsolin.
“I don’t know that answer right now,” Roberts said. “I do know with Tony and where he was at, surgery was inevitable. That’s not the case with Clayton. But certainly, with what he’s dealing with, it’s limiting. It is. Whether it’s stuff, command, but like I said, it’s really not even up for discussion to be quite honest because if he feels like he can take the ball, then he’s going to take the baseball."
Kershaw is giving it his all so he can possibly win another World Series ring for the only team he has ever played for.
In Kershaw's last five outings, he has pitched exactly five innings every time other than the rain-postponed start he made in Cleveland. Despite the obvious struggle with his mind and his shoulder, Kershaw has pitched to the tune of a 2.86 ERA in those starts.
“With Clayton, you certainly see the desire to be effective. You certainly see the compete,” Roberts said. “I just think the last couple, you just haven’t seen the command. The stuff might be down. It’s where he’s at right now. Physically. But willing and wanting to take the baseball is huge."
A 70% Clayton Kershaw is still a better pitcher than most in the league and the Dodgers and Dodger fans are grateful for anything they get to see the future Hall of Famer do for the rest of 2023.
