The strongest and surest of Dodgers appeared weary and lost, his emotions raw, his uncertainty real.
In Kershaw’s return to the mound Thursday after missing a month with biceps tendinitis, he was rudely accompanied by what has become his evil twin.
For the fourth time in five seasons, Kershaw could be sidelined with a back injury after he felt tightness throughout his start against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was painful enough to contribute to an early exit after just five innings and 62 pitches. It was serious enough to keep him off the team’s Thursday night flight to Colorado.