Dodgers manager not ruling out surgery for ace Clayton Kershaw

The Los Angeles Dodgers have shut down ace Clayton Kershaw indefinitely after a simulated start over the weekend resulted in more back pain for the Cy Young victor.

Manager Dave Roberts told the Los Angeles Times that a date for Kershaw’s return is “uncertain”.

Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball and you could make a good case that he should even be the National League MVP to this point of the season, despite not pitching since June 26. He came away from that start with lower back discomfort, which was diagnosed as a mild disk herniation. “When you’re talking about the back, that is always an option, but we’re certainly hopeful that Clayton will be back, absolutely”. “He’s disappointed because he knows how much he can help us”.

Kershaw is 11-2 with an NL-leading 1.79 ERA. “We’ve got to continue to try to win baseball games”, Roberts said. He missed the entire 2015 season because of a torn labrum.

The Dodgers will call rookie Julio Urias back to the major leagues for a start Thursday at Washington. After a setback-filled recovery that included flareups of pain in the shoulder and a groin muscle, Ryu returned to the majors and lasted only 4 2/3 innings against the San Diego Padres on July 7, allowing six runs on eight hits.

He has not picked up a ball since Saturday’s 60-pitch session, Roberts said, and will not again until pain subsides entirely. “It’s disappointing, but we’ll see where we go from there”. Kershaw has nine. For the season. Though he team has not foundered since he went on the disabled list, team officials understand how vital his presence is for the Dodgers’ championship aspirations.

Cardinals’ Peralta on DL with thumb injury: Jhonny Peralta of the St. Louis Cardinals is going back on the disabled list because of a strained ligament in his surgically repaired left thumb.