Dodgers Injury Update: Kershaw May Need Surgery and Hatcher Placed on DL
The Dodgers have had a season filled with injuries, their depth being the only thing keeping them competitive. On Tuesday it was announced that Kershaw’s recovery assignments would be shut down to soreness in his back after participating in a simulated game on Saturday. Unfortunately, the news gets worse.
On Wednesday Dave Roberts told reporters that back surgery is not out of the question for Kershaw. Though he remains optimistic that Kersh will start again this season, the fact that surgery is even being brought up in discussion raises red flags.
Dodgers News: Alex Wood to Undergo Arthroscopic SurgeryTo clarify. Question was have you been given any indication Kershaw is more in danger of surgery now after setback. Roberts answer: (cont)
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 20, 2016
"Yes. …I think that w/ the way it flared up it’s more an indication that surgery is more of a possibility w/ the way his back responded."
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 20, 2016
"But we’re still hopeful he’ll be back" Following up, asked Roberts if he was told this by medical staff. He said no. Just inferring it
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 20, 2016
Alanna Rizzo made sure to follow up with fans letting them know that this in no way is an official statement, simply just Roberts’ opinion on the possibility of Kershaw needing surgery.
To be clear, the #Dodgers are NOT saying Kershaw needs surgery at this time. Just acknowledging it's a possibility if back doesn't respond.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 20, 2016
In other injury related news, Chris Hatcher was sent to the disabled list with an oblique issue. Hatcher suffered from oblique issues last year as well that put him on the disabled list. To fill the void, the Dodgers called up Charlie Culberson who we haven’t seen in quite a while! He gets the start on Wednesday at short stop to fill in for Seager, who is out with a stomach virus.
.@handlebars41 has been placed on 15-day DL with oblique issue. #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 20, 2016
Chris Hatcher becomes the 22nd different Dodger to go on the DL in 2016. Charlie Culberson is recalled. https://t.co/eDaOQNtgSV
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) July 20, 2016
The Dodgers are still only 4.5 games behind the Giants and are first in the wild card race, even with all of these injuries. The resilience and talent of the club is evident. Hopefully they can continue to shine without their star pitcher, Clayton Kershaw, and shine even brighter when he makes his return! Again, there is no timetable set on Kershaw, but Roberts remains optimistic that we will see him on the mound before the season is over.
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