Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw ‘impresses’ again in bullpen session

ARLINGTON, Texas — Left-hander Clayton Kershaw took a step toward returning to the Dodgers’ rotation on Friday.

Kershaw, who hasn’t pitched since June 27 because of left shoulder soreness, threw his second bullpen session before Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.

The IL break could end up being a blessing in disguise down the stretch for Kershaw, 35.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was another step in the right direction for the three-time Cy Young Award winner, who had a session of more than 30 pitches on Tuesday in Baltimore.

“It was upwards of 40 pitches, a really good, competitive ’pen,” Roberts said on Friday’s effort. “I think the next step is for him to throw a live simulated, three-inning situation with our guys on Monday.”

Roberts said a second simulated game for Kershaw remains an option.

“We’re going to leave it open. So, we get to that first hurdle of the sim games, then see how Clayton feels. I think after that, we’ll kind of know how to navigate,” he said.

Either way, Kershaw won’t need to make a rehab start in the minors, Roberts said.

“For me, I think for all of us, it’s either going to be two sim games and kind of add another inning after that sim game, then he’s activated,” he said.

Kershaw had served as the anchor of the team’s injury-plagued pitching staff for the first half of the season, going 10-4 with a 2.55 ERA while striking out 105 batters in 95⅓ innings. His production earned him his 10th selection to the All-Star Game.

“I am (happy with his progression). I haven’t seen the last couple (bullpens), but from training staff to Mark (Prior) to Clayton, everyone seems to be impressed.”

Arguably the best pitcher of his generation – he averaged 222 innings per season with a 2.24 ERA from 2010 to 2015 – he hasn’t surpassed the 200-inning mark since, and the past eight seasons have included 11 trips to the IL. He last started more than 22 games in 2019, but he has made 16 starts so far this season.

“If he gets back and throws the way that we expect, it’s going to be a great break and it’ll be much needed,” Roberts said. “It’ll kind of be that reset to get him through October, so I think that’s why right now we’re just trying to be super cautious and do as much to sustaining health the rest of the way as he possibly can.”

FOND MEMORIES OF GLOBE LIFE FIELD

Returning to Globe Life Field definitely brings back fond memories for the Dodgers, who won the 2020 World Series while playing all of their postseason games there during the pandemic-shortened season. But the atmosphere is a little better this time, Roberts said.

The 2020 postseason was played under a lockdown, which meant fans weren’t allowed in the 40,000-seat stadium for many of the games and just a limited capacity for some. Sellout crowds are expected for all three games this weekend.

“It’s great. This is a place that holds a special place in all of our hearts,” Roberts said. “Just having families here at the hotel, not on lockdown in the bubble and then getting to the ballpark and already seeing some fans in the stands, which we didn’t see for a while here during the postseason.”

Third baseman Max Muncy, one of eight players on the Dodgers’ current 26-man roster who appeared in the 2020 World Series, remembers the bonding that went on during their month-long lockdown.

“The whole group got really close during that whole time,” Muncy said. “By the end of it, we were definitely tired of the hotel and the same food every day. We were ready to go somewhere different, but I just remember the whole thing being a ton of fun.”

Especially after winning the Dodgers’ first World Series title since 1988, in six games over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Could the memory help inspire the club in 2023?

“There might be some of that,” he said. “When you get mired in the season, you sort of put your head down and move forward day-to-day. But when you get to a place where you recall running onto the field, celebrating, that taste sort of revisits itself. That’s a good thing.”

ARMS ON THE FARM

Right-hander Ryan Pepiot made his second rehab start for Triple-A Oklomaha City on Thursday. Pepiot, who turns 26 next month, has been on the injured list with an oblique strain since spring training.

Pepiot allowed four runs and four hits, including two homers, in 2⅔ innings against El Paso. He walked one and struck out four.

Right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who has been on the IL with a blister on his hand since June 8, was scheduled to pitch for OKC on Friday. It’s his first rehab start.

Syndergaard struggled through most of his 12 starts for the Dodgers before the injury, going 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA. He had 38 strikeouts in 55⅓ innings.

HOME SWEET HOME

Muncy and Kershaw grew up near Arlington and get to sleep in their own beds when playing a series at Globe Life Field.

Kershaw attended Highland Park High School in Dallas. Muncy attended Keller High School, a suburb north of Fort Worth. Both schools are about 25 miles from Globe Life Field.

Roberts said big leaguers take advantage any time they’re close to home.

“Clayton is at his own home and Max is at his own home,” Robert said. “That’s got to be a good feeling. Oh, yeah (it’s normal). If there’s any opportunity for guys to stay at home, they do. If you’re within 30, 40 minutes, they’re going to stay home.”

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 5-1, 4.25 ERA) at Rangers (RHP Dane Dunning, 8-2, 2.82 ERA), Saturday, 1:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA, 570 AM

The Associated Press contributed to this report.