Dodgers LHP Kershaw eyes return after throwing sim game
CHICAGO (AP) — The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.
It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.
Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles’ series opener against the Chicago Cubs, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers. “It was good, very encouraged,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it’s been for me — and obviously this setting is not a major league game — but for me the best it’s been in a month, for sure.”
The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective innings in a no-decision against the Phillies, and then went back on the disabled list the next day with the back injury. The Dodgers said over the weekend that Kershaw was headed for a simulated game Tuesday or Wednesday — in Los Angeles. But Kershaw said that was just one of the plans in the mix.
“I knew it was probably going to be here,” he said. “It’s just more of a logistical thing. It’s just harder to do in L.A. Nobody’s there when you go on the road.
“It’s just when you have hitters in there it’s good to see some, even though it’s a sim game at least you have them reacting. It was a little bit better today.”
The trip brought Kershaw back to one of the best moments of his outstanding career, a crisp six innings in an 11-1 victory over Chicago in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series last October — sending Los Angeles to the World Series for the first time since 1988. The Dodgers then lost to the Astros in seven games for the title. He also was greeted by some Los Angeles-like weather, with temperatures in the mid90s on a steamy day in the Midwest.