MLB Note - Los Angeles Dodgers Kershaw, Clayton

Jul 29, 2017 - 8:20 AM LHP Clayton Kershaw received permission from his doctors to play catch before Friday's game, indicating that his back injury may not be the long-term injury first feared. He suffered a muscle strain in the second inning of his start Sunday, near the herniated disc he suffered last season. No timetable has been put on his return. If his stay on the DL is less than four weeks, the Dodgers may decide not to pursue a starting pitcher at the trade deadline July 31. "Last year I couldn't sit," Kershaw said. "Couldn't really bend in any way. This one isn't near (as bad) in any way. I'm just trying to balance what I want to do with not doing too much before it heals."