For months, the Los Angeles Dodgers were gripped by anticipation while waiting for their veteran ace to return. Their rotation needed some restoration that had been oscillating all season. Finally, after an 8-month-long hiatus, the 37-year-old veteran stepped back on the mound. His first start against the Angels was disappointing—5 runs in 4 innings.

His performance lacked the usual sharpness. Then his second outing against the Mets was somehow stable with two scoreless innings. Third start against the Guardians looked closer to his pre-injury version. Still, it wasn’t enough.

Yes, you got that right. It’s Clayton Kershaw. In a media appearance after the Mets-Dodgers game, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the key areas that need some urgent improvement. Top on that list was Kershaw’s curveball command and pitch variety. “I think certainly you just don’t see the misses with the curveball like you saw tonight. I think there was one good one to a left-handed hitter in the middle of a count, but outside of that, there’s a lot of non-competitive curveballs, which is very uncharacteristic of Clayton.”

Well, Kershaw accepts it too. He admitted postgame, “Definitely the curveball tonight wasn’t good. So, need to get that going. Can’t be a two-pitch guy out there.” But here’s where the contrast deepens. Kershaw knew what had to be improved, yet he somehow fell into the same pattern.

It gave Roberts a cold reality check. He dropped his take, “I think I have to be realistic with kind of the miles and what and who he is right now… and manage him accordingly.” The 37-year-old lefty veteran doesn’t look the same anymore.

While he did accept his inconsistency, he also pushed back on the idea that it’s his age that takes the blame. “Physically I feel great. Uh, I don’t feel old, you know; my arm feels good. So, I don’t think that there’s not really any excuses. It’s just pitch better; pitch like you’re capable.” He emphasized that his stuff is still there. But his denial was evident. He also stated, “It’s kind of in and out for me. you know I think I’ll go on a stretch of making like 10 or 11 good pitches in a row and then just make enough bad ones to, you know, make some damage done against me.” Apparently, he believes he needs to put it together for a whole game and figure out how to do that.

Kershaw insisted that it’s just a matter of execution, and he hopes he’s able to deliver soon. Meanwhile, for the Dodgers, it’s a critical stretch. Even though they stacked the 6-5 win against the Mets, they are looking at a bigger picture with Kershaw.

Dodgers’ ace Kershaw’s post injury struggles have been frustrating for him

Kershaw’s comeback in May brought hopes for the Dodgers. The early starts have been far from promising. It’s not like Dave Roberts has written him off, but sure, he will be a bit realistic on where to use him.

After his off-season surgeries on his left knee and toe, the veteran lefty hasn’t lived up to the highs attached to his name. In his recent starts, he has thrown only 11 innings and has a poor 4.91 ERA. He was known for his abilities to dominate the bats, but his strikeout rate is currently 12.8%.

You know his third start against the Cleveland Guardians displayed slight improvement. He allowed only one run over five innings. But he himself isn’t satisfied, and Roberts knows it too.

He admitted that he is “fighting stuff mechanically” as to how it’s the root cause, according to him. Speaking on his frustration, Roberts stated, “He’s frustrated because he’s getting count leverage with guys and can’t put him away by way of strikeout.” There is no doubt that he’s competing his tail off. But right now it’s not been easy for him. Prior to this stretch, he was different.

Coming off these injuries, it’s not surprising for Kershaw as a pitcher to face mechanical issues. It’s the physical discomfort paired with relentless expectations that has been impacting him. For now, as it seems, the Dodgers need to cut him more slack.