Clayton Kershaw, the reigning two-time National League Cy Young winner for the Los Angeles Dodgers, spun a gem in Australia to begin the MLB season vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. He showed no signs of wear in a 6.2 inning effort in which he struck out seven, walked one and surrendered five hits. Something was amiss though, as he will not be opening the Dodgers' United States campaign.
According to reports Kershaw's been scratched from MLB's Sunday night game at the end of this week due to an inflamed muscle in his back. Instead of making his second start before most teams had even played a single game, the Dodgers must now worry that their ace is not 100 percent.
It's unclear at the moment the severity of his injury, but it is worth nothing that he's never landed on the disabled list in his six years as a pro. Losing Kershaw for any period of time would be a devastating blow, even if the Dodgers have usurped the Yankees for the league's top payroll.
Last season he posted a microscopic 1.83 ERA over 236 innings, finishing the season at 16-9 with 232 strikeouts, a 0.915 WHIP, and just 52 free passes.
It hasn't been announced who will take Kershaw's turn in the rotation, but Zack Greinke, Hyun-jin Ryu and Dan Haren are all options. Kershaw's back woes come on the heels of back issues for another key member of the team this year, outfielder Yasiel Puig.
Puig left Australia with his status for the U.S. opener uncertain, and fellow stud outfielder Matt Kemp is already on the disabled list to start the year. The roster may still be loaded but these are key players missing from a Dodgers club playing in a rough NL West division.
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