The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw is on hold with a toe injury

Clayton Kershaw is in a “holding pattern” and there are currently no plans for the Dodgers' three-time Cy Young Award winner to face hitters while he tries to overcome a toe injury.

“I don't think there's been any improvement,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday before his top NL West team opened a crucial three-game series against second-place San Diego. “The fact that he’s not facing hitters this week is pretty telling in itself.”

The 36-year-old left-hander was on the injured list on August 31 with a bone spur in his left big toe. Kershaw did not return to pitch until July 25 after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

He was 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts before getting injured.

The 10-time All-Star was playing catcher on Tuesday, but “something's stopping him from facing hitters,” Roberts said. “Hopefully we’ll get a little more clarity on how he’s doing in the next few days.”

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Kershaw signed a one-year contract plus a player option through 2025 worth $5 million in February. If he's healthy at the end of this season, he could get a $15 million raise based on criteria like starts or relief innings.

“He will do everything he can to be available whenever he is needed,” Roberts said.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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