Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star pitcher Clayton Kershaw had to leave Thursday’s afternoon game against the host San Francisco Giants before the start of the fifth inning with low back pain.
The left-hander had limited the Giants to two runs (one earned) on three hits through four innings before appearing to labor with his final warmup pitches prior to the fifth. The Dodgers quickly sent a trainer to the mound, after which a decision was made to remove Kershaw from the game.
“Just felt something kind of lock up there in the fifth and couldn’t really throw after that,” Kershaw said. “Something in my back again.”
The pitcher said there was “a fair amount” of frustration given his history of back injuries.
The 34-year-old was making his 15th start of the season, his 10th since missing more than a month bridging May and June with SI joint inflammation in his lower spine.
A look at Clayton Kershaw taking himself out of the game with an apparent injury
Looks like he says “It’s my back” pic.twitter.com/YhhMPy8HzU
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) August 4, 2022
Tests Friday
Kershaw will undergo tests on his back Friday once the team returned home to Los Angeles.
“We didn’t want to push any more, and obviously Clayton didn’t fight to stay in, which is somewhat telling but certainly smart,” Roberts said. “We’re going to get back to Los Angeles, get some tests and see where we’re at going forward.”
The Dodgers hung on to beat the Giants 5-3 and complete a four-game sweep.
–Field Level Media ()