:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63340732/usa_today_12299487.0.jpg)
Not much to report today, other than updates on the health of two of LA’s starting pitchers.
Let’s begin with Clayton Kershaw. Yesterday, manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw will be starting on Thursday for the Oklahoma City Dodgers in a rehab start. Today, Roberts talked about what the expectations are for Kershaw in that start.
Clayton Kershaw expected to go 4 innings/60 pitches & one more in the bullpen, on Thursday, with @okc_dodgers.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 2, 2019
It’s still unclear as to how many rehab starts Kershaw will make. Roberts said they’ll see if Kershaw needs another after he makes the start.
Up next, Rich Hill. He said he plans on testing his knee on Saturday in Colorado, likely throwing off a mound. If all goes right, he’ll throw a bullpen session this weekend and then hopefully the next step will be seeing him make a rehab start.
With uncertainty as to when either pitcher will return, it does look like it’s certain Julio Urias will be heading back to the bullpen when either player is back.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts says Julio Urias could make two more starts if Hill or Kershaw isn’t ready to return by next homestand. But Urias is the first starter out when either is ready to rejoin rotation
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 2, 2019
Urias made his first start in nearly two years last night, striking out seven in five scoreless innings. The initial plan with him was to have him begin the season in the bullpen and limit his workload, but injuries to Kershaw and Hill put him in the starting rotation.