Injuries & Moves: Kershaw plays catch; progress for Kelly
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INJURY UPDATES
RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025 (as a pitcher)
Ohtani has been throwing ever since the team came back from Seoul, South Korea, in late March. On May 27, Ohtani said he has progressed to throwing from 60 feet out. He added that those throws have reached 80 mph in his last couple sessions. He is still not expected to see game action this season. (Last updated: May 28)
10-day/15-day injured list
RHP Walker Buehler (right hip inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Buehler was hit by a comebacker during his start against the Rockies on June 18, which caused some inflammation and soreness. Outside of the injury, the stint on the injured list could allow the right-hander to have a mental and physical reset as he works his way back into form. (Last updated: June 19)
SS Mookie Betts (left hand fracture)
Expected return: August
Betts sustained the fracture on a hit-by-pitch when batting against Royals reliever Dan Altavilla on June 16. The injury won't require surgery, but he's expected to miss six to eight weeks as the bones heal. (Last updated: June 17)
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: Second half
Yamamoto first reported issues following a career-high 106-pitch start against the Yankees on June 7. The Dodgers gave him two extra days off in the hopes that would resolve things, but he felt something again while facing the Royals on June 15 and ended up exiting after just two innings. An MRI revealed there was no tear, but Yamamoto will be shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks. (Last updated: June 16)
RHP Michael Grove (right intercostal strain)
Expected return: Possibly July
Grove missed a month and a half last season with a similar injury, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team viewed this as a "shorter-term" issue. Grove has primarily worked in long relief for L.A. this season and twice served as an opener. (Last updated: June 16)
60-day IL
LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: Potentially after All-Star break
The Dodgers were initially hoping Kershaw would be back on the mound sometime after the All-Star break, but the left-hander will almost certainly need some additional time after experiencing soreness after his rehab start on June 19 for Low-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Kershaw, however, took a positive step forward on July 2, playing catch at Dodger Stadium and saying he has felt better over the last few days. The Dodgers won’t commit to a timeline for Kershaw’s return, but the left-hander is fully expected to make more than a handful of starts in the regular season. (Last updated: July 2)
RHP Joe Kelly (right posterior shoulder)
Expected return: After the All-Star break
Kelly is making his first rehab appearance for Low-A Rancho Cucamonga on July 2. The veteran right-hander will need at least a few outings in the Minors before being ready to return to the Dodgers, though if all goes well, he should be back with the team sometime soon after the All-Star break. (Last updated: July 2)
3B Max Muncy (right oblique strain)
Expected return: Mid-to-late July
Muncy, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 21, is with the Dodgers on the trip to San Francisco as he begins taking some swings off a tee. The third baseman is still not close to a return and isn’t eligible to be activated until after the All-Star break, but he has begun making some progress in what has been a much lengthier stint on the IL than initially expected. (Last updated: June 28)
RHP Ryan Brasier (calf strain)
Expected return: Possibly the first half
Brasier pulled his right calf muscle while doing some sprinting as part of his regular warmups before the Dodgers' game against the D-backs on April 29 and was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 28.
An MRI on April 30 revealed the strain was mild. Manager Dave Roberts said on May 31 that Brasier was playing catch, but remains "a ways out" from returning. Brasier was moved to the 60-day IL on June 13. (Last updated: June 13)
RHP Brusdar Graterol (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly August
As of June 1, Graterol was not playing catch, according to manager Dave Roberts.
"In the context of Spring Training, if you're not even playing catch, you're at least a couple months away," said Roberts. (Last updated: June 1)
RHP Connor Brogdon (right plantar fasciitis)
Expected return: TBD
Brogdon, who was acquired from the Phillies in April, went on the injured list for the first time this season. The right-hander gave up a pair of solo home runs in his one appearance with the Dodgers. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 19. (Last updated: May 19)
RHP Emmet Sheehan (right forearm inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Sheehan suffered an injury in his first bullpen session of the spring and never got into Cactus League action. The right-hander had started throwing to hitters for the first time, but on May 16 the Dodgers announced that he had undergone successful surgery on his right elbow that would end his 2024 season. (Last updated: May 16)
RHP Dustin May (right flexor tendon surgery)
Expected return: 2024
After six weeks without picking up a baseball, scans revealed that May needed to undergo right elbow surgery to repair his flexor tendon. The surgery took place on July 18 and was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
There’s no firm timetable for May’s return, but a second major elbow surgery in the past three seasons puts much of his '24 in doubt. The Dodgers placed him on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2024 season. (Last updated: Feb. 9)
RHP Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Gonsolin had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 1, performed by team doctor Neal ElAttrache. He was placed on the injured list Aug. 19 with what was diagnosed as right forearm inflammation. Gonsolin also was placed on the IL late in the 2022 season with a right forearm strain. He started the '23 campaign on the IL with a left ankle sprain and was 8-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 20 starts.
Gonsolin had been dealing with arm soreness for an extended period before he went on the IL. The Dodgers placed Gonsolin on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 9. (Last updated: Feb. 9)