The latest surrounding Jason Heyward, Blake Treinen, Clayton Kershaw
A lot of positive updates
The reinforcements are coming, the reinforcements are coming!
While speaking with reporters on Friday afternoon, manager Dave Roberts provided a number of positive updates.
We’ll start with Clayton Kershaw. Now this was a pretty big update, as I didn’t realize Kershaw was this far along in his progression. According to Roberts, the lefty threw his first bullpen session, six months following his surgery. He made 15 pitches and came out of it feeling fine.
I know Kershaw is still a few months away from returning, but the fact he’s beginning to throw bullpen sessions in early May is certainly an encouraging sign. There’s no update as when his next one will be, but I’d assume a week from now.
Speaking of starting pitchers returning, Bobby Miller threw off a mound. There’s no timeframe for when he’ll return, but Roberts made it sound like it’ll be sooner rather than later. Up next for Miller will be bullpen sessions and simulated games. Once he gets to that stage, Roberts said Miller should be able to ramp up fairly quickly since he’s only missed a couple of weeks.
Our final pitching update is with Blake Treinen, who is at Dodger Stadium with the team. He just completed his rehab assignment with Oklahoma City a few days ago after pitching in back-to-back games. Although Treinen is with the Dodgers, there’s no exact date for when he’ll be activated. Roberts was hesitant to say Treinen will be activated during the home stand, but there’s a possibility it’ll happen.
Our final update is with Jason Heyward, who sounds like he’s making great progress. He’s missed over a month with lower back tightness. Roberts said Heyward ran at full speed and was swinging the bat well on Friday.
Although Heyward is progressing, he still needs to check a lot of boxes before returning. Up next he’ll have to take live batting practice, which should happen in the next week. After that, he’ll appear in a simulated game. Once everything looks good, he’ll head out on a rehab assignment for 3-4 games.
I’ve written about this a couple of times, but things are going to get very interesting once Heyward returns. Andy Pages is currently filling in his role, but he’s been one of the Dodgers’ best hitters since getting called up. I can’t imagine them sending Pages down, so someone will have to pack their bags for Oklahoma City once Heyward is back.
So when Heyward comes back who gets sent down? I know a lot of fans are fed up with Chris Taylor but he can’t be sent down. So maybe Outman? But I’m not sure centerfield is Pages best position. Maybe they move Heyward to center?