There’s no other way to put it: Clayton Kershaw escaped disaster Friday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander took the mound for a spring training start against the Oakland Athletics. As usual, things were going well for the reigning National League MVP.
In the third inning, though, time temporarily stopped when A’s batter Andy Parrino hit a broken-bat line drive up the middle that struck Kershaw in the face.
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Fortunately for Clayton and Dodgers fans everywhere, the big lefty got back up and finished the inning. Kershaw was incredibly lucky, as Parrino’s broken bat slowed down the speed of the line drive and made for a softer impact.
After the game, Kershaw said he lost part of a tooth but otherwise was no worse for wear.
“It felt like getting hit with a pitch, nothing serious,” Kershaw said, via ESPN. “I don’t think I panicked too much. It’s just sore.”
Kershaw’s close encounter recalls memories of last September, when Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton was hit in the face by a Mike Fiers fastball.
Stanton appears ready to go for 2015, though, and thankfully, so does Kershaw.
Thumbnail photo via Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports Images
