Kershaw Placed On DL, The World Is A Dark Place

The world is a dark place without our ace, and it looks like we’ll have to survive the first couple of weeks of the 2014 regular season without him. Well, I figured there was a good chance of this happening, but the Dodgers have decided to place Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day DL, and also announced they’ve optioned Jose Dominguez back to the minors. The Dodger fans have decided to place their frustrations into some heavy drinking. I know, I’m right there with you guys.

Say it Aint so Kersh!-Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

I could care less about Dominguez, but losing Kershaw is a huge punch in the gut for all of us. Apparently Kershaw played catch earlier this afternoon and threw about 27 pitches. On the 27 pitch he felt something and the Dodgers shut him down and immediately placed him on the disabled list. This is the first time Kershaw has ever been on the disabled list.

Kershaw threw 6.2 innings in the Dodgers opener against Arizona in the Sydney Series. Despite having a rough spring where he posted an ERA of over 9.00, Kershaw won his first start while allowing just one earned run on five hits, and whiffing seven in the Dodger’s 3-1 opening win versus the Snakes.

Then the following Tuesday when the club was back home, Kershaw felt soreness in his upper back. An MRI revealed the inflammation in his Teres muscle. That’s the main muscle that supports the back and his left arm.

Kershaw played catch on Thursday and reported no pain, but that was not the case today. Obviously this means he will not be able to start the home opener against the Giants on April 4. It appears likely Hyun-jin Ryu will get the start instead.

.@HyunJinRyu99 expected to start #Dodgers home opener Friday in place of Clayton Kershaw.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 29, 2014

Kershaw’s Disabled list stint is retroactive to March 23, which means he won’t be eligible to be activated until April 7. The Dodgers have not set a date for his return yet, and it looks like he’ll be out for at least the next couple of weeks.

The Dodgers resume regular season play Sunday night against the Padres at San Diego. Ryu will make that start as well, and Zack Greinke will pitch Tuesday afternoon, with Dan Haren taking the mound on Wednesday. More to come on this later.