PITTSBURGH _ After throwing a bullpen session Wednesday afternoon, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw made another pitch to manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt to start Saturday against Milwaukee.
After a lengthy discussion, Roberts said the team has opted to stick with the original plan of sending Kershaw to make a rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Oklahoma City.
"He's earned that respect, to have that conversation," Roberts said. "Me, Rick and Clayton talked through things, trying to consider everything, and ultimately what's best for him and the Dodgers. We went through a lot of different scenarios and reasons why and reasons why he shouldn't, and I think caution won out."
Kershaw has not appeared in a game since straining his back July 23. The Dodgers want him to make a gradual progression into major league competition, and feel he will be at less risk of aggravating his injury by pitching in a less intense, minor league setting.
So Kershaw will head to the minors as the Dodgers search for a starter for Saturday. The team needs a replacement for Alex Wood, who landed on the disabled list Tuesday because of inflammation in a chest joint. Roberts has mentioned Ross Stripling as a candidate, but Stripling could be used as a reliever before then.
