Kershaw says elbow feels fine after rehab start in Bricktown
When Cliff and Sue Clement moved to Norman from California in February, they never imagined they would be watching Clayton Kershaw pitch in Oklahoma City.
"I am beside myself," said Sue, who came to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark early Tuesday to get tickets near the front row to see Kershaw toss three innings on a rehab assignment for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Sue has been a Los Angeles Dodgers' fan since the days of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale and her dad would take her to ball games.
When her husband, a Sapulpa native, wanted to move back to Oklahoma to retire, she was persuaded in part because Oklahoma City was the Triple-A club of the the Dodgers. Kershaw is her favorite Dodger. "He is so moral," Sue said. "He has a work ethic. He is such a family man. He does so many charitable things and he is a fabulous pitcher."
Kershaw saw his first action on Tuesday night — an 8-7 win against the Albuquerque Isotopes — since July 7 after he was originally placed on the 10day injured list.
Kershaw's final line was three innings pitched while giving up two earned runs on four hits, with three strikeouts.
He looked sharp right off the bat Tuesday night, fanning the first Isotope batter on four pitches. He allowed only an infield single in the inning and threw 15 pitches — 11 strikes with the strikeout.
In the second, Kershaw fanned the first batter but Taylor Snyder lined a single left ahead of a crushing two-run homer to left by Albuquerque catcher Brian Serven. Kershaw got the final two outs of the inning on a flyout and groundout, tossing 18 pitches with 11 for strikes.
In the third, Kershaw fanned the leadoff hitter before allowing a bloop double. The runner was left stranding after a groundout and a deep flyball to center.
In Kershaw's final inning, he tossed 12 strikes in 16 pitches and left to a standing ovation from the crowd, several of whom were wearing Kershaw jerseys and shirts.
Asked about the elbow after the game Kershaw said, "We'll find out. It feels good right now. Felt good overall. Hopefully bounce back tomorrow OK."
Kershaw said it was good to be back but added that his "stuff wasn't that great."
It was the third rehab start for Kershaw with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Kershaw said he approaches the rehab starts just like a game.
"Trying to get people out is the only way to do it," he said. "Compete. Get people out. Move on."
Kershaw said he wasn't sure if more rehab assignments are in his future before he takes the mound again for the defending world champions. He may return to the Dodgers first as a reliever.
"I will get to St. Louis (Wednesday) and talk to the guys and see what they say," Kershaw said. "Obviously I am not ready for a full start yet. I think a lot of things are in consideration.
"Ideally, I'd love to throw long. The reality is that just wasn't going to happen. I think by the time October rolls around I should be up to 100 pitches or so, which is the goal. I got to keep building."
In 18 starts with Los Angeles this season, Kershaw is 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA over 1061⁄ innings pitched.
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