Return of three-time Cy Young winner is excellent timing for Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers' injury-riddled pitching rotation is finally getting the reinforcements it desperately needs.

On Saturday night, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said ace Clayton Kershaw, who underwent left shoulder surgery in November, is set to start against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.

Kershaw's return is excellent timing for the Dodgers. Per Matt Snyder of CBS Sports, they lead the majors in pitchers on the injured list (11), which creates depth problems.

Kershaw should alleviate some of the depth concerns. In 2023, the three-time National League Cy Young winner went 13-5 in 18 starts, posting a 2.46 ERA , 137 strikeouts and a 1.06 WHIP.

The 36-year-old made his first rehab start for the Class A Rancho Cucamonga on June 19. He, though, was then shut down for a week due to lingering soreness.

However, he returned to the mound on Friday in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts in four innings pitched.

"I want to be a part of it, want to be one of the best five guys that we have," Kershaw said Friday, via Cory Mose of KVUE in Austin. "...Obviously, right now, we're in little a bit of dire straits. We need to hold on a little bit. So, like I said, if they need me now, I'll be ready."

Along with Kershaw, fellow starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is slated to return on Wednesday after missing the past few weeks with back tightness.

The Dodgers (58-41) are second in the NL behind the Phillies (62-36), trailing by 4.5 games. With two of its top pitchers returning, L.A. should push Philadelphia in the second half of the season.

As of Sunday, FanDuel gives the Dodgers the best World Series odds (+320).