With just a couple of weeks left before the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching rotation faces more challenges. Manager Dave Roberts announced on Thursday that Clayton Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer, will be sidelined for “a couple of weeks” due to injuries that go beyond just his toe.
The Dodgers are just two wins away from clinching the National League West title, which would secure them a bye into the Division Series. They have opportunities to clinch against the San Diego Padres and later the Colorado Rockies.
Roberts confirmed that Kershaw’s condition has been concerning, stating, “He’s not going to be viable for a couple of weeks, then we’ll reassess for our playoff push.” Kershaw has been on the injured list since the end of August, dealing with a bone spur in his left toe, and Roberts noted that there hasn’t been significant improvement.
Dave Roberts said Clayton Kershaw will likely not be a “viable” option to pitch for at least a couple more weeks
He hinted that Kershaw might be dealing with something more than just his toe injury, but said he’d let Kershaw address his situation himself
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“I don’t see him facing hitters this week,” he added. “He’s currently playing catch, but there’s something holding him back from progressing.” This suggests Kershaw’s return for next weekend’s series is unlikely, further thinning the Dodgers’ already stretched rotation.
Currently, it looks like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty will start Games 1 and 2, respectively. For Games 3 and 4, Landon Knack and Walker Buehler are the main candidates, though neither has shone this season. There’s also the option of former All-Star Tony Gonsolin, who hasn’t pitched since August due to Tommy John surgery.
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While the Dodgers were eager to have Gonsolin back before the regular season ends, it’s uncertain if that will happen. However, Roberts remains optimistic that Gonsolin could still pitch in the postseason. “It would be ideal for him to pitch before the playoffs, but it’s not a necessity,” he mentioned, emphasizing the focus on Gonsolin’s recovery.
In his rehab appearances this season, Gonsolin has showcased impressive stats, allowing only two earned runs in 7.2 innings with a 2.35 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
If Knack, Buehler, or Gonsolin aren’t deemed reliable options, the Dodgers may have to resort to a bullpen game during the playoffs. After a significant investment of over $1 billion this offseason, the Dodgers certainly didn’t anticipate starting October with such a depleted rotation. With multiple pitchers like Tyler Glasnow and Dustin May out for the season, they’ll need to adapt if they hope to contend for a World Series title in Shohei Ohtani’s inaugural year with the team.