LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw is hopeful he can pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason, although his stubborn toe injury has still not healed. The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner has been limited to playing catch this week rather than face hitters. Kershaw went on the injured list Aug.
31 with a bone spur in his left big toe. He didn’t pitch until July 25 after having offseason shoulder injury. “I’m not giving up,” Kershaw said Thursday before the Dodgers' series finale against San Diego.
“I’m going to keep trying every day. Maybe it will feel better in a day. I’m waiting for that day to happen.
” Because of his toe, Kershaw can't pitch the way he wants to and other areas of his body are overcompensating for it. “Whenever my toe feels better, I’m confident I’ll be good,” he said. “But other stuff pops up when I’m not throwing normally.
There is just a max percentage that I can throw right now.” The 36-year-old left-hander was 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts before getting hurt.
Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw still has to get himself built up, throw a bullpen session and face hitters. “He's just not going to be viable for a couple weeks, and then we’ll see what that looks like as far as our playoff fortunes,” Roberts said. The 10-time All-Star said he's been assured by doctors that he doesn't need surgery.
“It’s something that takes time I guess, which is the worst thing because I’m not good a.
