Clayton Kershaw is close to making a triumphant return, after being placed on the DL after his start in the Season Opener in Australia.
Skipper Don Mattingly says the reigning Cy Young winner will need to pass two more tests, albeit small ones, before he can return. The main objective is to see if Kershaw is experiencing any pain or not, after throwing five-innings in a rehab start on Wednesday. Then, Kershaw will have to throw a pain-free bullpen session in Miami, before he can come off the disabled list.
Mattingly hopes to use Kershaw in the opener of a three-game series against the Nationals. A Monday start for Kershaw would push Greinke into a Tuesday start for the second game of the set. Mattingly spoke openly about where his Ace stands, via LA Times:
“We still continue on the same path. We have a plan for him,” Mattingly said of Kershaw. “But we still have to get past today and the bullpen.”
Let’s hope now he can stay healthy.