It’s probably safe to say that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is tired of having to answer what has become a daily question: “Any update on Clayton Kershaw?”
To his credit, Roberts has remained polite and even occasionally forces a smile when he comes up with yet another way to answer in the negative – besides a simple “No,” that is.
Realistically, it’s not that the Dodger skipper enjoys shutting down a media scrum with his usually curt answer, it’s just that there has simply been nothing new to report … until Friday afternoon.
Shortly before Roberts’ daily pre-game media scrum – in this case in the visitors dugout at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati – Orange County Register Dodgers beat reporter Bill Plunkett tweeted out that not only had Kershaw just completed a throwing session (i.e. – playing catch) with his favorite catcher and best friend A.J. Ellis, the former three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP reported that he actually felt good; something that, to this point, he hasn’t said since landing on the disabled list for a mild disk herniation in his lower back just prior to the All-Star break.
At the same time, Kershaw shared with Plunkett that he has “a good plan” that will allow him to pitch again this season, although the undisputed best pitcher on the planet wouldn’t reveal what that plan is.
A short while later, SportsNet LA reporter Alanna Rizzo corroborated Plunkett’s tweets with one of her own which, regardless of whose you choose to believe, is phenomenally outstanding news for Dodger fans.
While Kershaw intends to keep his plan “under wraps,” what is known for a fact is that it includes what is expected to be a 20-25 pitch bullpen session on Saturday afternoon, also in Cincinnati.
Like I said, phenomenally outstanding news.
…unless, of course, you happen to be a Giants fan.
* * * UPDATE * * *
This is GREAT news. I like our chances in the post season with a vintage Kershaw and Hill throwing like he was earlier in the season.
The plan:
That guy we’re seeing is Kershaw, but not Clayton. Clayton has spent the last couple months teaching his identical twin how to pitch.
OK, that guy is Dayton Kershaw. Not Bad. Could be 21st century version of Dizzy and Daffy Dean.
Would love both Clayton and twin brother, Dayton, on Dodgers! Especially, right about now.
It’s not easy to understand what he means by “a good plan”, but the only thing “good” would be for him to come back healthy and strong enough to pitch like his old self.
I think you’ve got it. “a good plan” is that we don’t understand what “a good plan” is.
Clayton and Dayton are having fun with us.