SAN DIEGO — For the first time since 2010, Clayton Kershaw missed out on pitching in the All-Star Game. That doesn’t mean the Los Angeles Dodgers ace wasn’t in action Tuesday at Petco Park.
Kershaw, on track for a potentially historic season, is gearing up for a second-half return from a partially herniated disc that has sidelined him since a June 26 start at Pittsburgh. Before Tuesday’s game, Kershaw was signing baseballs and jerseys with his National League teammates, but not after working up a good sweat as he completed an afternoon workout.
Later, he played catch on the field with NL West rival Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants. He’s already pitched a bullpen session in his effort to return, and hopes to ramp up activity further in an effort for an early second half return.
“It actually worked out good,” said Kershaw, who was treated by a member of the Dodgers training staff that was with the NL squad. “I could do all the stuff I needed to rehab-wise, because Dodger Stadium is closed down. All good.”
Otherwise, Kershaw was terse about his health status, but in a chipper mood without any pitching responsibilities for the Midsummer Classic. Last year, he was the losing pitcher after giving up run-scoring hits to Prince Fielder and Lorenzo Cain in the fifth inning of the American League’s 6-3 victory. He had scoreless one-inning outings in the 2011-14 games.
“It’ll be great,” he said of his night off. “I’ve pitched in five of them in a row. First time I get to sit back and enjoy it. If you can’t pitch, you enjoy it.”
