LOS ANGELES >> Clayton Kershaw will make his first start for the Dodgers since July 23 on Friday in San Diego.
The return of the Dodgers ace will complete an exodus from the disabled list that included starting pitcher Yu Darvish on Sunday and slugger Cody Bellinger’s upcoming return on Wednesday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was eagerly anticipating two things regarding Kershaw’s start in Triple-A on Saturday, his only appearance in a game since during his recovery from a lower back strain. His performance and how his back felt the next day.
Kershaw allowed just one run on two hits in five innings with eight strikeouts Saturday in Oklahoma City.
“For me, that’s one component, but also to see how he feels the day after,” Roberts said, “and he was pretty excited (about how he felt).”
Kershaw (15-2, 2.04 ERA), who campaigned to skip the rehab start in favor of jumping straight to the major leagues, was equally pleased Saturday night and Sunday morning with his pitching and the recovery of his back.
“Everything felt healthy and good to go, so I’m excited for the next one,” Kershaw said Saturday night. “I feel like I’ve always been ready, but this is part of the process, so I’m glad I got this one under my belt.”
He will rejoin the Dodgers in Phoenix for a seven-game trip beginning Tuesday, but baseball isn’t his only motivation.
“He’ll meet us in Arizona,” Roberts said, “for the fantasy football draft.”
Fields placed on DL
Relief pitcher Josh Fields was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with a lower back strain suffered before Saturday’s game.
The right-hander with a 2.68 ERA in 47 appearances this season experienced a similar injury to Darvish, who took his place on the active roster Sunday.
As has been the case with plenty of players for the team with a cushion offered by the best record in baseball, Roberts insisted both their stints on the disabled list were primarily precautionary.
“Like we’ve done with a lot of our players, if there’s something there just to not create an even bigger situation,” Roberts said. “So with a lower back strain, to get him back in 10 days, and now with Yu healthy, they’re both benign and we need them both obviously down the road.”
Etheir rehab update
Andre Ethier went 2 for 3 with a double in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.
A day after going 0 for 4, Ethier showed some encouraging signs at the plate and played left field for all seven innings of the first game of a doubleheader.
It was the latest step in a long series of them at various levels of the minor leagues as Ethier attempts to return from a back injury he suffered during spring training.
He will likely be added to the Dodgers roster when it expands in September if he avoids any further setbacks.
