Fresh off completing a second consecutive series sweep of the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their homestand with a matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Clayton Kershaw returns from the 60-day injured list to make his first start for L.A. since July 3. His initial attempt to return from left forearm inflammation/elbow soreness was stalled after due to a setback upon pitching in a simulated game.
Kershaw was shut down for a brief stretch and his timetable was effectively reset for September. The 33-year-old made a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City last week, throwing the targeted three innings and allowing two runs on four hits, including a homer, while collecting three strikeouts.
“It felt good getting to be back out there,” Kershaw said after the outing. “Felt alright overall, stuff wasn’t that great, but I did it and got through it.”
While the rehab assignment was an important step, Kershaw cleared the final hurdle by then throwing a bullpen session without issue.
He likely is only stretched out to four innings or 60 pitches on Monday, but Kershaw and the Dodgers anticipate he can complete a buildup process throughout September in order to be full-go come the postseason.
The Diamondbacks counter with Zac Gallen, who enters 2-9 with a 4.32 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 19 starts this season. However, Gallen turned in one of his best starts of the season against the Dodgers on July 30, when he held them to just two runs and had eight strikeouts over six innings at Chase Field.
He’s facing a Dodgers lineup that still does not include Chris Taylor due to a lingering neck injury. Taylor aggravated it in the series opener against the Padres and missed the ensuing two games.
Steven Souza Jr. was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to the Dodgers activating Kershaw off the 60-day IL.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
2B: Trea Turner
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Gavin Lux
C: Austin Barnes
P: Clayton Kershaw
Diamondbacks lineup
SS: Nick Ahmed
CF: Ketel Marte
C: Carson Kelly
1B: Christian Walker
3B: Josh Rojas
LF: Henry Ramos
2B: Andrew Young
RF: Jake McCarthy
P: Zac Gallen
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