Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Monday that starter Clayton Kershaw has been receiving treatment for back discomfort, ESPN’s Doug Padilla reports. Roberts added that the lefty’s back issue wasn’t a factor in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Pirates. Kershaw lasted only six innings and yielded four runs on nine hits and two walks with only four strikeouts.
Kershaw’s back has been an “off-and-on issue,” according to Roberts. He is still expected to start on Friday against the Rockies.
Kershaw is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA and a 145/9 K/BB ratio in 121 innings this season. He’s tied for the league lead in wins, and leads all major league starters in innings pitched, strikeouts, K/BB ratio (16.11), WHIP (0.727), complete games (three), shutouts (three).
The Dodgers have been bitten hard by the injury bug this season, especially in the pitching department. Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chin-hui Tsao, Yimi Garcia, and Alex Wood are all currently sidelined. Kenta Maeda is day-to-day with a bruised lower right leg.
