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LOS ANGELES Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, a mere formality after the southpaw aggravated an injury that is expected to end his 2021 season.
Manager Dave Roberts said the injury barely took him by surprise.
“I think we all knew it could happen at this point,” Roberts said. “He was determined to do whatever he could to see this thing through this year and be a part of it. Unfortunately, he gave in (Friday) evening.
In his last start in 2021, Kershaw faced 10 batters against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday and couldn’t complete the second inning before succumbing to pain in his left elbow / forearm.
Kershaw, 33, will undergo tests on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. The Dodgers said in July exams of Kershaw’s elbow revealed no structural damage. A free agent as the playoffs come to an end, Kershaw’s future in Los Angeles – if not his baseball career – is uncertain.
It is now incumbent on the Roberts and Dodgers front office to put together a pitcher-less roster that has started its first or second playoff game every year since 2013.
Walker Buehler will start the Dodgers regular season final on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers after four days off. Max Scherzer is lined up to start a potential Wild Card game next Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
If the Dodgers qualify for the best of five National League division championships, Julio Urías will start a game.
“You can deploy Julio with whatever makes the most sense to win the most games possible,” said Roberts. “Right now it’s clear he’s going to start a playoff game for us. (Kershaw’s injury) adds more clarity.
Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers’ fifth starter, could also be in contention for a playoff start in Kershaw’s absence, said Roberts, partly dependent on the Dodgers opponent.
“He’ll be throwing leverage innings,” Roberts said of Gonsolin. “Whether it’s in a start or in multiples, we haven’t decided.”
Kershaw will end the 2021 season 10-8 with an earned-run average of 3.55. He pitched 121 2/3 innings in 22 starts, striking out 144 batters. He will have missed 59 games – more than a third of the season due to the forearm injury.
It was questioned whether Kershaw would be able to regain a vestige of his peak form as the Dodgers try to defend their World Series title. In four starts in September after returning from the injured list, Kershaw pitched 15 1/3 innings while allowing nine runs (eight won) in four starts. The Dodgers have won three of four games.
There was no doubt that Kershaw was eagerly awaiting the chance to win another championship.
“The most important thing was I just wanted to be on this team until October,” he said after Friday’s win over the Milwaukee Brewers. “This team is special. … You have seen what this team is capable of and I know it. I know we are going to do something special this year and I wanted to be a part of it. ”
Roberts said on Saturday he was “saddened” by the end of Kershaw’s season.
“Hopefully we never had to come to this,” said the manager. “You certainly want to be very thoughtful and sensitive to Clayton and, at the same time, make sure we stay focused on the future. ”
TOO
Mitch White was recalled from Oklahoma City Triple-A to fill Kershaw’s place. The 26-year-old right-hander is 1-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 20 games for the Dogders this season. This is his 10th distinct stint in the majors in 2021.… Chris Taylor has been chosen as the recipient of the Dodgers’ annual Roy Campanella Award, awarded to “the Dodgers player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late receiver. of the Hall of Fame. “… Taylor saw the time at six in 2021 while also being named to his first all-star team. He entered Saturday’s game with a .254 batting average, 20 home runs and 73 RBIs.
FOLLOWING
Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (15-4, 2.49 ERA) vs. Milwaukee (tbc), Sunday at 12:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, TBS, 570 p.m.
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