The Los Angeles Dodgers made a slew of roster moves before the second half of the MLB season began Friday, but none of them involved ace left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder soreness, was not activated on Friday and told reporters his return will come closer to the beginning of August.
Kershaw underwent an MRI this week and did not reveal what the exam specifically showed. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said on MLB Network Radio that the team hopes Kershaw will be ready to go by August.
Kershaw (10-4, 2.55 ERA) was placed on the IL on July 3, retroactive to June 30. The 35-year-old is tied for second in the NL in victories and has 105 strikeouts in 95 1/3 innings over 16 starts.
Before facing the host New York Mets on Friday night, the Dodgers activated outfielder/infielder Chris Taylor from the 10-day injured list and added new outfielder Jake Marisnick to the active roster. The team also optioned outfielder Jonny Deluca to Triple-A Oklahoma City and transferred right-hander Shelby Miller to the 60-day IL.
Taylor, 32, missed 15 games with right knee soreness. He is batting .206 with 11 home runs and 26 RBIs in his eighth season with the Dodgers.
Marisnick, 32, signed a major league deal with Los Angeles this week after declining a minor league assignment from the Detroit Tigers and electing free agency. In 42 games split between the Chicago White Sox and the Tigers this season, he is batting .225 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
Deluca, 25, played in 20 games for the Dodgers this season and batted .212 with two extra-base hits and three RBIs. Miller, 32, was placed on the IL June 21 with neck discomfort; he was 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA and one save in 25 appearances.
–Field Level Media