The Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation is set to get a huge boost this week with the return of Tyler Glasnow from the injured list and the season debut of Clayton Kershaw, who was sidelined by offseason shoulder surgery.
Glasnow had been on the injured list since July 9 with lower back tightness and is set to start Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, will start the following day versus the Giants.
Their comebacks will provide options for Roberts, who has seen his pitching staff decimated. The Dodgers currently have 11 pitchers on the injured list, including Glasnow and Kershaw.
Glasnow, acquired in an offseason trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, is 8-5 with a 3.47 ERA. How much Roberts will be able to use him over the next two-plus months is up in the air.
A 30-year-old right-hander, Glasnow has thrown 109 innings this season, only the second triple-digit number in his 10-year career. He reached his career high of 120 last season.
Kershaw, 36, pitched Friday night in a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City. In four innings, he gave up six hits and three runs and struck out two. His fastball hit almost 92 mph.
The Dodgers knew Kershaw wouldn’t return until after the All-Star break, and it was thought he’d be the cherry on top of a star-studded staff. Instead, he could be a lifesaver for a rotation that currently includes four rookies.
“Looking at what we’ve been through in the last couple months, certainly it’s really a necessity versus a luxury that I think when we put together the roster, that’s what our thought was,” Roberts said of Kershaw’s return, per The Athletic. “Now it’s certainly a necessity.”
Kershaw told the Los Angeles Times that he’s ready to come back and contribute however he can.
“I mean, ultimately, it’s just where the team is at,” Kershaw said. “Because, obviously, I’m not built up to 100 pitches. So would love to come back whenever they need me, obviously. But don’t want to put the team in a bad spot, especially the way we’ve been grinding through the last few weeks.”
A return against the Giants could provide Kershaw with some comfort. He’s 26-16 with a 2.01 ERA in 59 games (57 starts) against San Francisco.
Kershaw has spent all 16 seasons of his MLB career with the Dodgers. He’s 210-92 with a 2.48 ERA, amassing 2,994 strikeouts in 2,712 2/3 innings.