LOS ANGELES ― For three months and three days, Clayton Kershaw managed to avoid the injured list. At 35, he defied both Father Time as well as his own injury record.
The Dodgers changed that Monday when they placed Kershaw in the 15-day IL for left shoulder pain. Kershaw won’t be pitching again before the All Star break.
By backdating his IL stint to June 30, Kershaw is eligible to pitch during the Dodgers’ series against the Mets in New York, their first series after the All-Star break.
“Any time you have to take time off it’s frustrating,” Kershaw said. “Disappointing. The way the season was progressing, I had hoped to make it through the entire season. I haven’t done that in a while. It’s always something I want to do. Anytime it doesn’t work out, it’s definitely frustrating for me, but where we’re at in the season with the break, it’s probably a good thing to take a little break now.
Right-hander Michael Grove was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and started Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Kershaw’s place.
The Dodgers recalled Gavin Stone (right-hander) from Oklahoma City in order to utilize him for a possible long-relief scenario if required ….
