|
MILWAUKEE -- Los Angeles Dodgers staff ace Clayton Kershaw made it back to Los Angeles on Wednesday but there was no information available on the severity of his lower back stiffness. "I know he landed safely and will get some scans sometime today," manager Dave Roberts said. "I should hear at some point and time." Kershaw gave up four runs on nine hits Sunday night in a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, only his second loss in 16 starts this season. The next day, he was treated for a lower back issue, although he was on the field Monday morning doing part of his day-after-start workout. Roberts remained hopeful that Kershaw would pitch Friday at home against the Colorado Rockies, but sounded less hopeful than he did a day earlier. "I haven't learned anything new today," Roberts said. "I know [pitching coach Rick Honeycutt] talked to him before he left. The idea to get him back, settled, to get the doctors' eyes on him, increase those chances for Friday. I think that we are still holding out hope. Things can always change, but I think that's where we're at right now." Kershaw did not throw a between-start bullpen session and is not playing catch either, according to Roberts, who was trying his best to remain optimistic. "It's just more of trying to keep options open," Roberts said. "With the way things have gone, obviously we're conscious and aware that it could go the other way. We're just more mindful, I think." Dodgers options for a starter on Friday are limited. Carlos Frias remains a candidate to come back to the major leagues, but Mike Bolsinger was taken off the list of those who could start for the Dodgers in a pinch. He is now being used in a relief role at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the Dodgers have talked to the Tampa Bay Rays about a possible trade for pitcher Erasmo Ramirez. But Ramirez has been used mostly in relief, making one start this season. Roberts was asked about the possibility of the Dodgers going outside the organization for a starter if Kershaw is not available on Friday. "It's a possibility; I think anything is possibility," Roberts said. "Honestly, I think our guys are, as other organizations who are in it, are always looking to get better and under the circumstances, with starting pitching, they are listing. If something comes to fruition they might, and if something doesn't, it doesn't. But obviously somebody has to start on Friday if it's not Clayton."
|
