Dodgers: There’s No Need to Worry About Clayton Kershaw Yet

The Dodgers are set to begin their spring training slate today with a game against the Chicago White Sox.  There are already injury concerns regarding Clayton Kershaw.

Clayton Kershaw and greatness seem to go hand in hand, unfortunately for the Dodgers so do injuries and Kershaw.  Over the last few seasons, Clayton has spent multiple stints on the disabled list with injuries to his back and then he experienced biceps tendonitis last year.  Now Kershaw has been shut down for an indefinite amount of time.

There are multiple reasons why Dodger fans should not worry about Kershaw yet with the number one reason being time is on the Dodgers’ side.  Even if Clayton misses the next week of spring training, he would still have more than three weeks of spring games left to get ramped up for the regular season.  That would give him plenty of time to get his pitch count up without pushing himself to be ready for the regular season.

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Another reason why it’s not yet time to worry is that most pitchers go through a dead arm period in the spring and this could be all it is for Kershaw.  This wouldn’t be the first time a top Dodger starter had spring concerns as Zack Greinke would routinely get a lubrication injection while with the Dodgers and then be ready to go for the regular season.  Given how early it is the Dodgers were right to take the precautionary route with their ace.

The primary reason why Dodger fans should not worry is the Dodgers have the best pitching depth in baseball and are built to withstand injuries to their rotation.  Even without Kershaw, the Dodgers have a very good rotation and could start the season with five above average starters in their rotation sans Kershaw.  There is still a ways to go before this is the route taken but if it comes to that the Dodgers will be fine.

Equipped with at least nine above average starting pitchers, the Dodgers should give Kershaw as much time as he needs to get his arm feeling right.  The baseball season is a marathon and it’s better to get injuries taken care of early than deal with them later on as the stretch run arrives.  It will be worth monitoring Clayton Kershaw’s situation but it is far too early to worry about his status for the regular season.