Kershaw playoff doubts with forearm discomfort

Posted on Saturday October 2, 2021 | 12:06 am

Updated 5 hours, 49 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Los Angeles Dodgers took a hard hit before they even started a playoff defense of their World Series championship.

Ace Clayton Kershaw ended his start with a left forearm discomfort in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. It was the same injury that closed him from July 4 to September 12.

“Chances are he’s not looking very good for October right now,” said a brooding Kershaw. “I just wanted to be part of this team until October. This team is special.

Kershaw will have further tests on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said.

“Just not overly optimistic right now,” Roberts said.

Kershaw is 10-8 with a 3.38 ERA, his highest score since a 4.26 ERA as a rookie in 2008.

He allowed three runs and two hits on 42 shots in a 1 2/3 inning in his last regular season start. The left-hander hit one and didn’t walk any before he felt pain bad enough that he had to stop.

“This is the hardest part right now, knowing that it will be a challenge to contribute to all of this next month,” he said.

Roberts and a trainer went to the mound to check out the three-time Cy Young Award winner after seeing him wince a few times.

“It was tough,” Roberts said. “Last start home this year and you just don’t know what the future will predict. I wanted it to be really special for him and his family.

Kershaw is gone and rather than giving up the ball, as pitchers usually do when substituted, he kept it in his glove.

“Probably just a shock. I didn’t know I was holding the ball, ”he said. “I probably should have given it to Doc.” “

Kershaw can become a free agent after this season. Depending on whether the Dodgers in the playoffs advance to the playoffs and his health, this could have been his last appearance with the team.

“As for everything else, I haven’t given it any thought,” he said, “and I’m not planning on doing it anytime soon.”

The Dodgers remained two games away from San Francisco in the NL West title race, but made sure to host the NL wildcard game if they didn’t catch the Giants with two games to go.

Kershaw lost his last start in Arizona last weekend, allowing four runs (three earned) and six hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 7-2 loss.

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