Clayton Kershaw went five innings Wednesday for the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate Chattanooga in what is likely his last minor league start before rejoining the big league club’s rotation.
The left-hander gave up six hits, one earned run, and struck out nine on 86 pitches. Three of the hits Kershaw gave up went for extra bases.
Kershaw said earlier this week he didn’t want to stay in the minors for another start, but the Dodgers brass wanted to be sure he didn’t suffer any setbacks in his recovery from a back injury that’s kept Kershaw on the disabled list for over a month.
It’s expected for the 26-year-old to be activated from the disabled list and make a start when the Dodgers travel to Washington for three games with the Nationals between May 5 - 7. The club will need him. Starting Wednesday they’ll play 16 games over the next 15 days in four different cities.
Kershaw hasn’t pitched since he went 6 2/3 innings, struck out seven, and got the win in a 3-1 Dodgers victory March 22.
