Clayton Kershaw injury update: Dodgers ace leaves with lower back tightness
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw has left the ballgame two innings into his start against the Atlanta Braves with an injury.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are absolutely humming right now. They are 67-31, 10.5 games up on the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks and well on their way to another NL West Division Title.
They have a young potent offense to complement their strong starting pitching that’s headlined by Clayton Kershaw. Everyone in the MLB world knows what Kershaw means to the Dodgers and he’s been nothing short of spectacular this season.
The Dodgers’ ace is 15-2 with a 2.04 E.R.A. while striking out 168 batters. He was making his 22nd start on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. Two innings into the game, the former Cy Young winner was taken out of the game with an injury.
Clayton Kershaw is out of the game after two innings. An explanation for his departure has not been provided.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 23, 2017
There was no explanation for Kershaw’s departure, other than fact that it was an undisclosed injury. He immediately headed into the clubhouse with the trainers and it was immediately announced that he won’t be returning.
UPDATE: Kershaw was diagnosed with lower back tightness.
.@ClaytonKersh22 left today's game with right low back tightness. pic.twitter.com/x1aLxU5btO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 23, 2017
In his place, the Dodgers brought in Ross Stripling in relief of Kershaw. Stripling has been average so far this season, giving up 17 runs in 42.2 innings pitched.
But Dodgers’ fans shouldn’t be concerned about this game. It’s a long season in the MLB and Los Angeles is on the fast track to another playoff berth. They should be worried about Kershaw’s health. He’s such a key piece to the entire franchise that they won’t go far without his stellar pitching.
Just as we expected, there was a lot of anxiety in the stands in Dodger Stadium. Whenever a team’s best player goes down with injury and doesn’t return to the game, it’s hard not to worry as a fan base.
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Stay tuned as we try to find out what happened with the Dodgers’ star pitcher, hopefully, it’s nothing serious and he’ll be back on the mound dominating batters.