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The fantasy baseball world will be regaining another pitcher returning from injury by next week. Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw is set to return to the majors by Monday or Tuesday.
Kershaw has missed all of April with a back injury after kicking off the season with a win in Japan against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his most recent start, Kershaw threw 56 pitches in five innings with one earned run, two hits, six strikeouts and one walk. This stat line looks like he is ready to come back and dominate the majors once again.
The Dodgers management will have Kershaw appear in one more rehab game on Wednesday despite Kershaw insisting that he’s 100 percent. Kershaw will up his pitch count, possibly reaching 80 pitches. After this final rehab start, Kershaw will rejoin the Dodgers over the weekend. He will make his return against the Miami Marlins. The Marlins rank in the top half of offense, 11th in average, 10th in on-base percentage, 15th in home runs and 10th in RBI.
While the matchup could be better, Kershaw is the best pitcher in all of baseball. He will handle the Marlins with ease and begin his road back to being the No. 1 fantasy pitcher. Kershaw is, obviously, owned in all leagues and should be started in his first game back.
If you own Kershaw, don’t be concerned for his health. He didn’t suffer any setbacks during the rehab games, so he will be fine for the rest of the season.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.
