Pitcher of the Month: LHP Clayton Kershaw

Seemingly every year, people wait for the day Kershaw is no longer one of the best pitchers in the Majors. Those people will have to keep waiting because the future Hall of Famer is still at the top of his game. 

With some other starters struggling and some injuries at the back end of the rotation, the Dodgers have asked Kershaw for a lot to start the season, and the left-hander has delivered every time. Kershaw led the National League with 38 innings in March and April and already has five wins. 

Kershaw had two particularly dominant outings over the first month, shutting down the Mets and Cardinals, two of the best lineups in baseball, especially against southpaws. Kershaw also celebrated his 200th career win during April. 

Reliever of the Month: RHP Brusdar Graterol 

Things didn’t get off to the best start for Graterol, who allowed three runs on six hits in his first four outings. But since a tough outing against the D-backs on April 8, Graterol has been lights out. 

Graterol hasn’t allowed a run over 8 1/3 innings in his last nine appearances. During that stretch, Graterol has also found success getting swings and misses, striking out eight in those frames. The Venezuelan right-hander has established himself as one of the two best relievers in the bullpen, alongside Evan Phillips, who was also under consideration for this fake award. 

Trea Turner made his first trip back to Dodger Stadium as a member of the Phillies on Monday. Turner caught up with his coaches and teammates before the game. The star shortstop also met with the media in the visitor’s dugout and discussed his time as a Dodger. 

During the 10-minute pregame scrum, Turner said he “definitely” would’ve entertained a reunion with the Dodgers in free agency had the front office engaged in negotiations. The Dodgers, unwilling to meet the amount of years Turner was looking for on his next deal, were never serious bidders for the shortstop. 

“I entertained one West Coast team,” Turner said, referring to the Padres, who reportedly made an offer around $400 million, “I definitely would’ve entertained another [West Coast team]. Especially one that I enjoyed playing for and was familiar with. It didn’t work out, but I definitely would’ve considered it, would’ve entertained it. They were definitely in my top few teams.”

Turner, of course, signed an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies in December. Given that the Padres offered more money for the shortstop, Turner surely preferred going back to the East Coast, where he grew up. He was raised in Florida. 

“I think it was special being here, putting on that uniform,” Turner said. “I think it’s one of the best uniforms to put on.  … Just a little bit of everything. It was special.”

Though the Dodgers won’t make it official until later Tuesday, right-hander Gavin Stone is expected to get called up and make his Major League debut on Wednesday against the Phillies. Stone, the Dodgers’ No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had an impressive spring and has settled into the season after a shaky start for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

By letting Stone make his Major League debut, it allows the Dodgers to continue their youth movement this season. It also allows Dustin May and Kershaw to get extra days off and lines them up for the much-anticipated weekend series in San Diego against the Padres.