Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start because of back spasms, is a "likely possibility" to start Game 4 against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, manager Dave Roberts said.
Kershaw's back issue flared up after Saturday's bullpen workout and forced the Dodgers to start Tony Gonsolin in Game 2 _ an 8-7 loss to the Braves _ on Tuesday. Kershaw had "a pretty aggressive" bullpen workout before Tuesday's game in Globe Life Field and received treatment Wednesday.
"He was letting (the ball) go, and he came out of it great," Roberts said before Game 3. "Every day it's been better. ... I talked to him briefly (Wednesday). He's in a good head space. I just know that we're in a better place than we were (on Tuesday). What that means, I don't know quite yet."
Kershaw threw eight scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out 13 and walking one, in a 3-0 win over Milwaukee in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Oct. 1. He allowed three runs and six hits, struck out six and walked none in six innings of a 6-5 win over San Diego in Game 2 of the division series on Oct. 7.
If Kershaw can't start Thursday, right-hander Dustin May would likely pitch for the Dodgers. Roberts said he "didn't expect" May to pitch Wednesday, presumably so the hard-throwing right-hander would be available to start Game 4 or 5.
