Clayton Kershaw could pitch again this season, Mattingly says

Patience, now. Patience can be rewarded, right? Maybe, hopefully.

The Dodgers have yet to officially announce the results of Clayton Kershaw’s visit to a New York hip specialist Tuesday, but at least the door to his pitching again this season was left ajar.

When your season could be hanging in the balance, maybe you keep it open as long as possible.

Meeting with the media in Washington, Mattingly said that although Kershaw wasn’t so much as scheduled to throw in a bullpen session, there was a chance he could pitch again this season.

Mattingly did not offer any details of Kershaw’s visit for a second opinion to Dr. Bryan Kelly. Trainer Sue Falsone is scheduled to meet with the media later for a more in-depth medical review, but Mattingly did say: “It didn’t sound too bad.”

The Dodgers have feared Kershaw will need hip surgery, a procedure that could leave him unavailable to pitch until the middle of next May. Mattingly did concede there was something “serious” in the hip.

Mattingly said Stephen Fife, who started Sunday for Kershaw, will continue in the left-hander’s spot for now.

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