Dodgers Update: Clayton Kershaw’s Return, A.J. Ellis Improving (Video)
Clayton Kershaw is back! Ace Clayton Kershaw returned to the mound on the road this week against the Nationals. He threw seven shutout innings, allowed nine hits, but also struck out 9, leading to the win.
Don Mattingly shared his praise for Kershaw with Mark Saxon of ESPN LA:
“He shows you right away what you’ve been missing, just a guy that brings that to the table every five days. It is a little reminder of just who he is and what he means to you.”
Kershaw’s return from his back injury is just what the team needed. Even though the starting rotation claimed the fourth spot in the league with a combined 3.04 ERA while he was out, now Hyun-Jin Ryu is on the 15-day DL with back inflammation. It doesn’t seem to be anything too serious. He’s been cleared to start throwing, so we hope he has a smooth and quick recovery.
AJ Ellis is also one step closer to returning behind the plate. It’s been four weeks since his knee surgery and he’s been sent off to his rehab assignment back at Camelback Ranch in Arizona. He’s set to get work in daily and a controlled number of at-bats until he is ready to return and play with the team.
