As uncertainty clouds the timetable for Clayton Kershaw's return to the mound, surgery remains a possibility for the Dodgers ace, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Wednesday.
Optimism over the left-hander's recovery from a herniated disk in his lower back has dwindled since Kershaw, on the disabled list since June 26, suffered a setback Saturday while pitching a simulated game. Roberts said continued inflammation is cause for concern, but insisted the Dodgers are "hopeful" Kershaw will pitch again in 2016. It's just a matter of when.
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"With the way it flared up, it's more of an indication that surgery is more of a possibility," Roberts told reporters, via MLB.com.
Kershaw "didn't feel great" during Saturday's 60-pitch session, but Roberts said he hasn't reported evidence of nerve damage, symptoms which would require surgery.
The Los Angeles Times spoke with a chief of spine surgery at New York's Mount Sinai Health System who said surgery would be an unlikely option, given Kershaw's symptoms.
The 28-year-old was scheduled to undergo a new series of tests this week with Dodgers back specialist Robert Watkins. He hasn't picked up a ball since Saturday, Roberts said, and won't again until pain subsides entirely.
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Kershaw's 1.79 ERA and 145:9 K:BB ratio led the major leagues through the first half of the season.
"He's disappointed because he knows he can help us," Roberts said. "But his focus is on getting back this year."
