The Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason rotation has taken yet another hit with less than two weeks until the National League Division Series begins.
On Thursday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Los Angles on Thursday that future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw is “not going to be viable for a couple weeks.”
The Dodgers have a magic number of 2 to clinch the National League West title and a bye through the NL Wild Card round into the Division Series. They can clinch as early as Thursday night against the San Diego Padres, and will have three more chances to clinch against the Colorado Rockies beginning Friday.
Roberts said that Kershaw is dealing with more than just his toe injury, but said he would allow Kershaw to address the situation himself.
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
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 26, 2024
“I think that he’s just not going to be viable for a couple of weeks, and then we’ll see what that looks like as far as our playoff push,” Roberts said.
Kershaw was placed on the injured list at the end of August with a bone spur in his left toe. Earlier this week, Roberts said the 36-year-old left-hander was in a “holding pattern” in his progression.
“I don’t think there’s been improvement,” Roberts said of Kershaw. “I don’t see him facing hitters this week. So right now, I think that’s more on his health and himself. Him not facing hitters this week is going to be pretty telling in itself. So hopefully in the next few days, we’ll get a little bit more clarity on how he’s feeling. …
“From what I understand, he’s playing catch today, but there’s something that’s holding him up from progressing to facing hitters. And so for me, for the training staff, I was told that we’re kind of status quo and not moving forward.”
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
With Kershaw unlikely to be back in time for next weekend’s NLDS, the Dodgers’ already thin rotation is now looking even thinner.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty figure to start Games 1 and 2. Then, the concerns begin.
Landon Knack and Walker Buehler appear to be the only options for Games 3 and 4, but neither has been especially impressive this year. The only other option could be former All-Star Tony Gonsolin, who’s coming back from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched since Aug. 2023.
A “couple weeks” is vague, but if Clayton Kershaw is out for the NLDS, that means the Dodgers are looking at:
Game 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Game 2: Jack Flaherty
Game 3/4: Landon Knack/Walker BuehlerUnless they plan on Tony Gonsolin making his 2024 debut in the NLDS. https://t.co/um8qER1y5B
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) September 26, 2024
While the Dodgers initially wanted to get Gonsolin back before the end of the regular season, that now won’t be the case. Roberts left the door open for him still making his debut in the NLDS. though.
“I think it would be ideal [for Gonsolin to pitch before the playoffs], but not necessarily has to happen, and that’s for our kind of benefit, Tony’s benefit,” Roberts said. “But the most important thing is that we feel confident with his rehab.”
Across three rehab starts this season, Gonsolin has allowed two earned runs across 7.2 innings for a 2.35 ERA. He’s struck out 12 while walking two.
If the Dodgers don’t feel comfortable starting either of Knack, Buehler, or Gonsolin, they could be looking at a bullpen game in the postseason.
After spending more than $1 billion this offseason, the Dodgers likely didn’t expect to enter October with a lack of depth. With Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan all out for the season, though, the Dodgers will have to make do if they want to win a World Series in Shohei Ohtani’s debut year in Los Angeles.
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