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When news broke on Friday morning that 34-year-old Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw had been placed on the 15-day Injured List for “right SI joint inflammation,” social media exploded with rumors and speculation. Even several noted national sportswriters opined that the Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in University Park, TX was done and most likely headed for retirement.

But if we’ve learned anything from and about the former MLB MVP, three-time Cy Young Award winner, Triple Crown winner, eight-time All-Star, 2020 World Series Champion, five-time ERA Title winner, and former MLB Player of the Year, it’s that if you want the straight skinny on Clayton Kershaw, you should get it straight from Clayton Kershaw, who is very well known for telling it like it is and wearing his heart on his future first-ballot Hall of Fame sleeve.

“I don’t feel great right now, but hopefully it won’t be too long I’ll be back,” Kershaw told reporters prior to Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium; a game which he was initially scheduled to start.

When pressed further by AM 570‘s David Vassegh as to if Kershaw noticed the ailment during his latest bullpen session, Kershaw repeated “I don’t feel great right now, but hopefully I’ll feel good and get back out there soon.”

For those unfamiliar with what “SI joint inflammation” is (as was I), here is how arthritis-health.com describes it:

“Sacroiliac joint dysfunction often leads to inflammation of one or both of the SI joints. Any type of SI joint inflammation is called sacroiliitis. The inflammation may be caused by wear-and-tear on the joints (degenerative arthritis), or be a symptom of a larger inflammatory condition, such as ankylosing spondylitis.”

When asked if he had undergone an MRI, Kershaw answered in true Kershaw telling-it-like-it-is style:

“MRI looks good, nothing structural from my MRI during the Spring when I signed, so everything looks good there. Got an epidural [on Thursday] and should be good to go,” he answered.

When asked exactly where the discomfort was, Kershaw again told reporters exactly what he wanted them to know.

“I don’t feel great right now, specifics aren’t important. I don’t think … it’s a little sore right now but I’m confident that by the time my DL stint is over, I should be pretty close to ready to go, if not ready to go,” he replied.

Asked it there was a timeline as to when he would start throwing, he again told reporters exactly what he wanted them to know.

“I do, yeah. You’ll see it. I’ll be out there.”

When asked if he thinks that he will be activated when his DL stint is over (as opposed to being sent out on a rehab assignment), the Dodgers ace answered: “I think by the time my DL stint’s over I should be pretty close, for sure.”

Kershaw on Kershaw.

Play Ball!

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