So Clayton Kershaw returns to the minors after a winless start to his Major League career.
Not the start everyone thought he'd get off to, including Dodger fans (like me) and fantasy managers who have him on their team (like me!).
Reading some of the quotes attributed to him, Kershaw didn't seem too happy.
He said there hadn't been a particular reason or explanation for his demotion, leaving me to wonder why Joe Torre and the coaching staff didn't tell him what to work on in more depth.
Kershaw hadn't pitched particularly badly, and was so close to his first career win the other night on Houston, only for the bullpen to blow a lead.
He also pitched four scoreless innings in Detroit before being pulled after a rain delay.
The Dodgers needed to make a move to activate Kuroda from the DL, and I wondered if reliever Ramon Troncoso would be sent down, leaving Kershaw in the pen for long relief.
But a combination of Kershaw's control struggles and the excellent starts made by Eric Stults meant the Dodgers figured Stults deserves to keep his place in the rotation, and on recent form, they are right.
As a Kershaw owner in a H2H league, I'm pretty much going to have to keep him on my bench.
I used my #2 waiver pick on him, and have to believe he will be back soon.
I'd be surprised if Stults can keep his good form up and it'll be hard to imagine the rotation staying injury-free for the rest of the year.
If Kershaw can work on his control and be more economic with his pitches, he'll get his wins at the Major League level.
Until then, like his fantasy owners, he'll just have to be patient.
As someone who used their #1 waiver on him (in the H2HWS, no less), I guess I'll just have to be patient too!
And I got Chris Davis off of free agency, mwahahahahaha!!!!
Seriously, I'm kind of bummed that Kershawmania hasn't been given the chance to manifest itself over the next few months, well, at least for the short term. By the same token, it's the right move. He's only 20 and it would be a shame for that arm to be heavily taxed. Kershaw has the command issues, but that's to be expected, though some folks fail to realize that his control is advanced for his age. He has two plus pitches, working on a changeup in progress that's still good for his age but can be better, and the kid has a big future. Kershaw's delivery is very good, decreasing the likelihood that he'll turn out to be an injury risk, but again he should be burned out.
I'm hoping for Kershaw to come back in August/September, but realistically, Raffy-mania is more sorely needed than Kershawmania and the odds aren't too great that we'll get our catalyst SS back soon. We still need that power hitter.
Isn't Chris Davis getting sent down in a few weeks? see here
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Not if Blalock keeps finding ways of reinjuring himself. Texas might be shopping Max Ramirez too before the deadline which enhances Davis' chances at staying up. Personally, I have Davis in my dynasty league and don't mind.