MLB roundup: Kershaw reportedly could be out until May
The outlook keeps getting bleaker for Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw missed his scheduled start on Sunday because of a hip problem, and if he must have surgery on that hip, he may not be able to pitch again until next May, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.
Kershaw's decision regarding surgery will be made after Kershaw gets a second opinion from Dr.Bryan Kelly on Tuesday in New York, according to the report.
Kershaw, 24, is 12-9 with a 2.70 ERA, but he has lost his last two decisions and the Dodgers have lost the last three games he's started.
He last pitched on Sept. 11, which was his only start since Sept. 4.
Kershaw has one more year left on his contract, and is scheduled to earn $11 million in 2013.
Kershaw's problem is the latest in a series of pitching injuries for the Dodgers.
Chad Billingsley is out for the season with an elbow injury that could require surgery, and Ted Lilly is scheduled to have shoulder surgery on Friday.
---St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter will make his season debut on Friday, according to the team's website.
Carpenter, who was not expected to pitch at all this season because of nerve-related tissue problems in his neck and shoulder, got clearance to return after a 95-pitch simulated game on Saturday.
Carpenter was forced to stop throwing in March and had thoracic outlet surgery in July. At the time, his season was considered to be over. But he will pitch in Chicago against the Cubs on Friday.
---The Texas Rangers agreed to extend the contract of right-handed pitcher Colby Lewis through the 2013 season, ESPN Dallas reported Monday.
Lewis will make a base salary of $2 million but could earn up to $4 million through incentives.
Lewis is out for the rest of the season with a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. He said Saturday that he expects to start rebuilding arm strength in the next week.
He was 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts this year.
