DENVER (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is dealing with a “cranky” pitching shoulder and remains optimistic he’ll be able to make his next start.
Kershaw said Thursday that he felt some tenderness in his left shoulder in his winning outing Tuesday at Colorado. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and left the game after 79 pitches and one hit allowed in an eventual 5-0 win. The 35-year-old left-hander said he underwent a medical exam on Wednesday and was given a shot to relieve inflammation.
“I just finished in the game and the shoulder was a little cranky there in the sixth inning, so I shut it down,” said Kershaw, who is tied for the NL lead in wins with 10.
![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/ce3617e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1686+0+157/resize/500x281!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fafs-prod%2Fmedia%2F295cccfb126a4e2099474ead911d4f8f%2F3000.jpeg)
Following two straight walk-off losses, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and former league MVP pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 on Thursday afternoon to snap a four-game losing streak and avoid a series sweep.
![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw looks out of the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, May 26, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/8d7002d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1686+0+157/resize/500x281!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fafs-prod%2Fmedia%2F8fd2f615a11142f6be1c75b6d080efc7%2F3000.jpeg)
Clayton Kershaw says he disagrees with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to welcome a satirical LGBTQ+ group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at the team’s annual Pride Night.
![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/0c17e0a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1686+0+158/resize/500x281!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fafs-prod%2Fmedia%2Fe5ece2a3965e4c55946d7f22e6a02a4b%2F3000.jpeg)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was set to start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being activated from the bereavement list Friday.
Kershaw (10-4) said he won’t throw for a couple days, but hopes to pick the ball up again soon. He also warned that his next start might be pushed to allow for additional recovery time.
“So somewhat optimistic that it should be good to hopefully not miss a start,” said Kershaw, who leads the Dodgers with a 2.55 ERA and 105 strikeouts. “With the All-Star break coming up, we have some time to potentially shift things around, so we’ll see. But as of now, I’m kind of on the same day-to-day basis.
“I’ll probably start picking up the ball at some point in Kansas City (site of this weekend’s series), see how it does … and hopefully make my next one.”
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