Aaron Boone withholds judgment on Clayton Kershaw's removal during bid for perfection
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates with teammates after seven innings in his season debut, dominating the Minnesota Twins with 13 strikeouts in 21 batters on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Minneapolis. Credit: AP/Craig Lassig
Aaron Boone wouldn’t make a judgment call on Dave Roberts’ decision to take Clayton Kershaw out of a game after a perfect seven innings, but he does know he trusted the thought process of those involved.
Boone, who was asked about the decision that had the baseball world atwitter Wednesday, said there were too many unknown factors involved for him to say what he would do in that situation.
“I get the interest," he said. “We’re talking about a guy that’s coming off of injury, that’s built up slowly, that’s at an age, is a key figure for a team that expects to compete for a championship. Were they past a place they were already comfortable? Were they up against it? It’s just impossible to know all that’s baked into it but I get the interest.”
Kershaw, who has a no-hitter to his name but no perfect game, was pulled after 80 pitches, but, much like other starters working around a shortened spring training, had not been fully built up. Roberts also famously pulled Rich Hill after seven perfect innings in 2016 because he was concerned about possible injury.
“Every case is a little bit different,” Boone said. “Every pitcher is a little bit different. It’s a tough call but without all the particulars which, I’m sure we can’t possibly know, it’s hard to make a judgement call either way. I know Doc well, and I know it’s not something he takes lightly.”
Montgomery OK
After getting nailed in the back of a knee by a comebacker Sunday, Jordan Montgomery threw a bullpen and appears ready for his next scheduled start, which will come against the Orioles Friday.
“I didn’t see it, but I just talked to Matt (pitching coach Matt Blake) before I walked in and said it went well and he’s running now,” Boone said. “He’ll probably do a little work so we should be good to go.”
Lineup shuffle
Giancarlo Stanton sat Wednesday for a scheduled off day . . . Anthony Rizzo had a rare leadoff stint – only the 66th start there of his career – in an attempt to space out lefties in the lineup against Blue Jays righthander Jose Barrios.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
