The Dodgers have decided to push the next start of veteran ace to Friday, as noted by . Kershaw was originally slated to start tomorrows game against the Padres. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that the decision to move Kershaws start wasnt prompted by a physical i sue, saying that the main goal in pushing his start back is lining up the rotation for the postseason. As Plunkett notes, however, Kershaws workload has been carefully monitored by the Dodgers ever since he returned from a six-week sojourn on the injured list due to shoulder i sues. Kershaw has not pitched beyond the fifth inning since returning and has eclipsed 80 pitches in a start just once. Plunkett also spoke with pitching coach regarding Kershaws dip in velocity since returning, with Prior calling the drop below 90 mph on Kershaws fastball surprising, though he added that Kershaw maintains that his shoulder feels fine. If theres any concerns regarding Kershaws ability to start playoff games deep into the postseason, it certainly makes sense for the Dodgers to manage his workload carefully down the stretch. The club has a Ben Braymer Jersey ma sive 13 game lead in the NL West, e sentially guaranteeing them a division title, while the give LA a whopping 99.8% chance to clinch a bye in the Wild Card round, allowing them to move directly into the NLDS. With regular season games rapidly waning in importance for the Dodgers and a rotation featuring Kershaw, (6.09 ERA in 28 starts) and a trio of rookies led by (3.98 ERA in 18 starts), its a no-brainer for the Dodgers to take as few risks with their 35-year-old aces arm as po sible. More from the National League Cubs infielder exited todays game against the Diamondbacks due to back tightne s, as manager told reporters (including ) this evening, and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Candelario has had a big rebound season since being non-tendered by the Tigers last winter, as the switch-hitter has slashed .254/.339/.475 in 553 trips to the plate split between the Nationals and Cubs this season. Hes cooled off a bit recently, slashing just .161/.257/.356 in his last 101 trips to the plate, but that month long cold stretch doesnt change the fact that Candelario is a key piece of Chicagos lineup alongside the likes of and as they look to return to the playoffs in a full season for the first time since 2018. Should Candelario mi s time with the injury, the club figures to rely on and at third base. Giants outfielder has been out of the lineup in recent days due to illne s, with noting that the 30 year old visited a specialist recently and received vertigo medicine, which has helped to alleviate the dizzine s and balance i sues he had been struggling with. Its been a bit of a down year for Slater, as hes hit just .248/.328/.379 as hes shifted to more of a part time role with San Francisco. has acted as the clubs primary center fielder in Slaters absence. Mets catcher left todays game against the Twins in the seventh inning after being struck in the hand by a pitch during the fifth inning. Fortuantely, Mike Puma of the New York Post noted that Alvarez underwent x-rays on his hand that came back negative, indicating the 21-year-old rookie avoided a serious injury. Alvarez took over as the clubs primary catcher following an early-season injury to veteran backstop and has performed solidly in the role, hitting .212/.288/.434 in 107 games. That stat line is good for a wRC+ of 98, ahead of quality regulars behind the plate like , , and . Cesar Hernandez Jersey