Clayton Kershaw Injury Update: Bullpen Session Rescheduled

The Los Angeles Dodgers had Clayton Kershaw pause his throwing progression as he works to return from a left shoulder injury, but that is set to resume Tuesday with a bullpen session.

“I think [Tuesday], as it stands right now, he’s going to do that aggressive bullpen we talked about,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Unless something changes.”

Kershaw initially was due to face batters in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Monday. However, after throwing a second bullpen session during the Dodgers’ road trip, Roberts said Kershaw’s updated schedule called for him to conduct another and then pitch to hitters later in the week.

But Roberts then said the plan changed to not have Kershaw throw at all on Monday, citing logistics rather than any sort of setback surfacing.

“I wouldn’t say it’s weird,” Roberts said of adjusting Kershaw’s schedule. “I would say more of trying to be sensitive to working backward as far as when he starts.

“Also, if we don’t feel 100% convicted, then to push it back a day or two, whatever this process is, I think we’re prepared to do that.”

Kershaw has been on the 15-day injured list since July 3, which was backdated to June 30. His shoulder soreness began June 27 in a start against the Colorado Rockies and led to Kershaw leaving the game after just 79 pitches over six shutout innings.

Kershaw previously dealt with a left shoulder injury in 2014 when he landed on the IL because of a strain, and he was scratched from an Opening Day start in 2019 due to inflammation.

When will Clayton Kershaw return from shoulder injury?

There was optimism Kershaw was going to get activated immediately after the All-Star break, but upon having an MRI on his left shoulder, that was delayed until the first week of August after Dr. Neal ElAttrache recommended rest.

Kershaw had suggested he would return prior to that point because of not feeling any discomfort, but that no longer appears feasible.

Roberts said Kershaw’s timeline currently projects for him to return around the club’s initial estimate.