Dodgers injury update: Bobby Miller, Clayton Kershaw, Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly

Despite the early loss of Bobby Miller to the IL, the Dodgers rotation has shaped up to be one of the best in baseball in his absence thanks to a surging Gavin Stone, a consistent Tyler Glasnow, and a vastly improving James Paxton and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Walker Buehler was also reintroduced in early May to get the starters back to five and to take some pressure off the bullpen.

Miller went onto the IL on April 13, retroactive to April 10, with right shoulder inflammation that thankfully revealed no deeper issues. He's had a steadier recovery than a lot other hurt Dodgers pitchers like Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly (more on that later), and began a rehab stint in the minors on May 26.

When asked about how he was feeling about his rehab, Miller said he was, quote, "pretty anxious. I’ve been really bored." That's all well and good, and it's a positive sign that he's feeling physically prepared to get back to the majors, but he also hasn't fared well in his two starts down in Single-A. Over 6 1/3 cumulative innings, he's given up seven earned runs, three walks, and hit a batter.

Maybe getting lit up by A-ballers is less boring than doing well, in Miller's book? The Dodgers are still likely to bring him back soon despite the poor performances, but hopefully he's getting them out of his system now.

Dodgers injury updates: Bobby Miller's two rehab starts, Clayton Kershaw throwing sim games, Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly not close to returning

Clayton Kershaw, who started the season on the IL, is also on the right track to returning, maybe even sooner than we expected. He's been spotted throwing at Dodger Stadium multiple times throughout the season, and he pitched against hitters for the first time after surgery in a sim game on Saturday. Dave Roberts said of the step that Kershaw was "way ahead of schedule." He should be expected to return in late July or early August until further notice, but his progress has been refreshing in the face of setbacks for other pitchers.

That brings us to Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly, who Roberts said were both "a ways out" from returning. Brasier has been out since April 29, Kelly since May 6, and both are likely to need rehab stints before they can come back.