Nothing against the good folks of Rancho Cucamonga, but as much as Clayton Kershaw is itching to pitch in a game again, the Dodgers left-hander won’t be too thrilled to take the mound for the Class-A Quakes against Inland Empire at LoanMart Field next week.
“I’m definitely not excited — I don’t think anybody gets excited about rehab starts,” Kershaw said after throwing to hitters in a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game Thursday in Dodger Stadium. “But it’s a necessary evil. It’s something you gotta do.
“This is good. You get your work in. But you gotta get in a game setting, get in that atmosphere. There may be a long inning, maybe stuff that you can’t really simulate here. So this is just the next step in the process.”
As much as he might downplay it, this is a big step for Kershaw, the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner who underwent surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his throwing shoulder last Nov. 3.
Read more: Hernández: Why the evolution of Walker Buehler remains a ‘process’
The Dodgers hoped Kershaw, 36, would return by early August, perhaps late July, but if he continues to progress at his current pace without a setback, Kershaw could return around the All-Star break.
“He’s much further along than we expected,” manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday night’s series finale against the Texas Rangers. “He’s unique in his body and mentality and mindset, the work ethic and all that. And obviously, Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache did a great job. He’s well beyond where I personally expected him to be.”
For all the injuries–some serious–that have sent Kershaw to the injured list in seven of his 16 big-league seasons, Kershaw had never undergone surgery before last year, so it’s difficult for him to determine if he is ahead or behind schedule.
“I’m right where I think I should be,” Kershaw said. “Everything has been pretty smooth sailing so far. No setbacks. Once again, I’ve never had surgery. I don’t really know how it goes. People say there are ups and downs. I really haven’t had the downs …
“Every box has been checked to this point, but I’m not getting my hopes up yet. There’s a lot that can happen in the next few weeks. But if everything goes well, I’ll be excited to get back, for sure.”