Clayton Kershaw to Get the Call? Could Soria Hold Up in the Rotation?

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers placed starting pitcher Esteban Loaiza on the disabled list because of tightness in his right shoulder. Injuries to has-been starters like Loaiza typically don't make headlines - even in Los Angeles - but in this case, it means the possibility of super-prospect Clayton Kershaw getting the call from Double-A Jacksonville.

Kershaw, 20, has been tearing up the minor leagues. He started 2007 in Single-A, where he threw up 134 K's in just 97.1 innings to go along with a 2.78 ERA. He finished the year in Double-A, where he had 29 K's in 24.2 innings and a 3.72 ERA. In 2008, Kershaw has been even more dominating with 37 K's in 33.1 innings and a 1.08 ERA.

The Dodgers have been babying Kershaw up to his point, even enacting the "Kershaw Decree" - he will not exceed 25 innings pitched in any month while in the minors. So while the smart money is on the Dodgers giving Chan Ho Park the ball in Loaiza's absence, Kershaw's talent may be too good for the Dodgers to pass up (besides - Chan Ho Park???!!!???). When asked about the potential of giving Kershaw the call, Joe Torre was quoted as saying, "You'll have to wait and see." To add even further speculation, Kershaw pitched an inning in relief on Wednesday night so that he can make his next start on Monday - five days before the Dodgers will need someone to fill in for Loaiza.

If Kershaw does get the call, then he'll obviously be facing talent much better than he's used to facing in Jacksonville. But as a lefty with exceptional control over a mid-90's fastball and a 12-6 curveball that "scares small children and the elderly," I think Kershaw should be able to hold his own right now in the bigs. Plus, he kind of looks like another famous Dodger, Orel Hershiser...not that it really means anything...

Another interesting tidbit I saw over at MLBRumors.com for all you Royals fans (there should be a couple of you). KansasCity.com raises the possibility of putting Joakim Soria, currently the closer, in the Royals rotation. The kid has some nasty stuff - if he can build the endurance to go 6 or 7 on a regular basis, the Royals have a pretty good foundation for their rotation - Zack Greinke, Brian Bannister, Luke Hochevar, and Soria. Not to mention young sluggers like Alex Gordon, Mark Teahen, and Billy Butler.