February 26th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Over the past week it has been reported – ad nauseam – that Dodgers left-hander and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw “experienced some frustration” with his bullpen session last Wednesday, his third of the spring and first after throwing live batting practice last Monday morning. As a result, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave his ace the day off on Thursday and shut him down from throwing entirely … until Monday morning, when Kershaw “played catch” with Dodgers rising star right-hander Walker Buehler.
It did not go well.
“He didn’t feel great so where he’s at right now, it might be another day or two until he picks it up again,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. “So right now, I think it’s safe to say that he didn’t feel great coming out of it so where that has us right now, I really don’t know. But I know we’ll probably take a step back until he starts feeling better.”
Uh oh.
If you are among the suspicious type, it gets worse.
One would think that if their staff ace, to whom the Dodgers recently gave a three-year / $93 million contract extension, is having arm issues, however slight, the first, and I mean the very first thing you would think they would do is have an MRI done on Kershaw’s left arm and shoulder.
Not gonna happen. Not yet, at least.
“I think the medical staff has got a handle on it and I’ll touch base with them this evening and figure out the course of action for Clayton. But right now, we don’t have an MRI scheduled,” Roberts said.
Uh oh.
Roberts did admit, however, that he is more concerned now than he was before Kershaw played catch on Monday morning. In fact, Roberts will more than likely reconsider having Kershaw make what would have been his franchise record-setting ninth consecutive Opening Day start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 28 at Dodger Stadium.
“It’s not ideal and you hope when he picks up the ball, it comes out feeling better, so obviously it’s not ideal,” said the Dodgers skipper. “But we’ll deal with whatever comes our way.”
Stay tuned…
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My “pucker factor” alarm is going off!!
He is supposed to “throw” (not pitch) again on Thursday. Me thinks that will be the last “throwing” he will be doing for about a year.
Walker Buehler may be the staff ace sooner than planned.
You can take that one to the bank.