Dodgers Clayton Kershaw Out 4-6 Weeks: Fantasy impact

The hits, or should I say the injuries just keep coming. Fantasy baseball ace Clayton Kershaw was placed on the DL and could miss up to six weeks.

I’ve already complained about the number of injuries this season. You know how I feel so I won’t talk about of maddening this is or how there’s no one left on the waiver wire. No, I will just talk about Clayton Kershaw crushing the hearts of all of his fantasy baseball owners in the playoff race.

On a serious note, Kershaw left Sunday’s game in the second inning with lower back tightness. Manager Dave Roberts somehow knew it was bad enough that a DL stint was likely. Though, this wasn’t the same injury that cost Kershaw two months of last season.

Unfortunately, bad news travels quickly as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that Kershaw will be out four to six weeks. This timeline would put a return between August 21 and September 4. I think it’ll likely be the latter. However, ESPN’s MLB Insider Buster Olney recently tweeted a less definite timetable for Kershaw.

The Dodgers had almost two rotations worth of starting pitchers on the DL. Along with Kershaw, Alex Wood, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir and Hyun-Jin Ryu are or were on the DL at some point this season.

The Kershaw injury could accelerate the Yu Darvish-to-LA rumors. The Texas Rangers are looking to get something for Darvish, who will be a free agent at the end of the year. While not his best season, Darvish is pitching well. He has a 3.44 ERA, 1.118 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and 6-8 record in 21 starts. Moving to the National League could help Darvish and the Dodgers finish strong.

Losing Kershaw hurts everyone involved. The Dodgers do have a significant lead in the NL West, but it’s still a big loss to the rotation. His fantasy owners will be without his 2.04 ERA, 0.884 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.5 BB/9 and 15-2 record for a month or two.

Kershaw is just the latest top-tier pitcher to land on the DL. We lost Madison Bumgarner for a couple of months, Noah Syndergaard has been out since April 30. Someone protect Chris Sale, Max Scherzer and Corey Kluber.

If you are looking for a starting pitcher to take Kershaw’s roster spot, there are some good options on the waiver. You will not find anyone to give you the same production Kershaw did this season but there are serviceable replacements.

Mike Clevinger is still available in 43 percent of ESPN leagues. He has a 0.75 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over the last 30 days. R.A. Dickey allowed one or fewer runs in his five previous starts before pitching against the Chicago Cubs.

Next: Starlin Castro is back on the DL

Any Kershaw owner would be stupid to let go of him. He should be back in time for the final weeks of the regular season. Those two or three starts could be enough to win you a week or two on your way to the championship.