The Los Angeles Dodgers, widely regarded as one of the most talented teams in Major League Baseball, are not immune to the challenges posed by injuries. Even with their impressive roster depth, they experienced firsthand how injuries can test a team’s resilience, as they did last season. Despite these challenges, they navigated the playoffs successfully and ultimately secured the World Series title. However, the Dodgers are keen to avoid a repeat of those injury concerns, which is why they’ve further strengthened their pitching rotation. The recent positive updates on the health of Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller are particularly encouraging, suggesting that their depth could be even greater.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Kershaw Feeling Good, Miller Returns to Mound
Clayton Kershaw, who last pitched for the Dodgers on August 30th, has been recovering from a bone spur in his right toe, an injury that sidelined him throughout the 2024 MLB playoffs. Adding to his recovery process, Kershaw underwent toe and knee surgeries in November, casting doubt on his availability for the Dodgers at the start of the 2025 season.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw’s recovery is progressing positively. As reported by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Kershaw threw a bullpen session on Friday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared his optimism, noting Kershaw’s positive mindset regarding his physical condition. “I talked to him yesterday and he was in really good spirits,” Roberts stated. “Say he’s feeling good, really looking forward to this ’pen. I’m just looking to see how it looks coming out of his hand. He says the foot feels good so I’m really anxious.”
Simultaneously, Bobby Miller took a significant step forward in his recovery, throwing a live batting practice on Friday. This marked his return to action since a line drive unfortunately struck him in the head two weeks prior. According to the team, Miller reached speeds of 99 miles per hour on his fastball during the session. These developments indicate an upward trajectory for the team’s pitching staff, further solidifying the Dodgers’ reputation as having one of the deepest rosters in the league.
The recent positive health updates regarding Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller provide a sense of reassurance for the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the team’s front office can afford to view these pitchers primarily as depth options, given the exceptional strength of their starting rotation. The Dodgers boast a formidable group of starting pitchers, including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow, who are expected to anchor the rotation. Furthermore, Landon Knack and Shohei Ohtani provide additional starting options, further illustrating the team’s remarkable pitching depth. This abundance of talent allows the Dodgers to manage Kershaw and Miller’s returns with a focus on long-term health and strategic deployment.