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Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw received injection for inflammation in ‘cranky’ shoulder

June 30, 2023

DENVER — It was Clayton Kershaw’s shoulder that prompted him to come out of his start after 79 pitches on Tuesday night and he received an injection to treat inflammation in the joint.

Kershaw said he will try throwing again either Friday or Saturday. How that goes will determine whether he makes his scheduled start on Monday.

“I pitched in the game and my shoulder was a little cranky there in the sixth inning, so I decided to shut it down and then yesterday got it checked out,” said Kershaw, who did not have an MRI. “It’s just some inflammation. … (The plan is to) let it sit for a few days and then start playing catch and I think it should be good after that.”

The three-time Cy Young Award winner said this is not the first time he has had “shoulder stuff” or the first time he received an injection for it. And it wouldn’t be the first time he has pitched with a sore shoulder, he acknowledged.

“It’s been like three or four years,” he said. “Usually the shots help pretty good. So I’m somewhat optimistic that I should be good. (I’m) hopeful to not miss the start. Obviously, with the All-Star break coming up, we have some time to potentially shift things around so we’ll see. But as of now, kind of on the same day-to-day basis, probably start picking up the ball at some point in Kansas City, see how it does and if it feels good, hopefully make my next one.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team is in “a holding pattern” regarding the starting rotation. Kershaw is still tentatively scheduled to start Monday night at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates and then again against the Angels in the final game before the All-Star break next Saturday.

“I think for us it’s more day-to-day,” Roberts said. “I still stand by the goal is for him to pitch on Monday. If it’s not (possible), we’ve got to pivot. We’re not going to put him in harm’s way if we all come together and collectively come together and say, ‘It makes sense to make your start,’ great. If it doesn’t, we’re fine with that too.”

The Dodgers will get one starting pitcher back from the injured list on Saturday when Julio Urias is scheduled to return from his hamstring injury. Right-hander Michael Grove was sent down Thursday in order to add a reliever, left-hander Justin Bruihl.

“I’m not gonna be stupid,” Kershaw said. “If I feel good, I’ll pitch. … If it feels like it needs a few days or I need to wait through the (All-Star) break, I’ll do that too. But I don’t think it’s gonna be a long thing or anything like that, regardless.”

Roberts said pushing Kershaw’s start back from Monday is not an option because of the domino effect it would cause on the rest of the rotation.

“Obviously Clayton is very routine-oriented. But there have been times recently in his career where he has not thrown a ’pen because of things like this,” Roberts said. “If he’s going to throw the ball Friday, obviously it gives us more information for Monday. If it’s Saturday, it makes it harder (to make a decision). That’s just the truth of the matter.

“If he can’t pitch on Monday what’s another day going to do? We might as well take our medicine and make sure he’s right.”

Because of the All-Star break, going to the IL now would afford Kershaw a longer break while potentially missing just those two starts next week.

“If I feel good, I don’t want to stop pitching,” Kershaw said. “But if I do feel like I need a little re-set, this is probably as good a time as any to do it.

“But as of right now, I’m not anticipating that.”

CORRECTION

Roberts said he misspoke on Wednesday and right-hander Dustin May has not picked up a baseball or started playing catch. May has been out since May 17 with a strained flexor pronator mass.