Clayton Kershaw to Debut for Dodgers Monday vs. Reds After Shoulder Injury

The Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly have their ace back Monday.

According to a Thursday report from Dodger Insider, Clayton Kershaw will make his 2019 season debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. The southpaw is yet to pitch this year because of lingering shoulder concerns.

Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times noted the plan is for Kershaw to take Julio Urias' spot in the rotation following the former's second rehab start in Double-A. Urias allowed three earned runs and seven hits in 8.2 innings in his first two starts and is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kershaw dealt with shoulder inflammation during spring training, which forced Los Angeles to give the ball to someone different on Opening Day for the first time since 2010.

The future Hall of Famer has a National League MVP, three NL Cy Youngs, seven All-Star appearances, five ERA crowns and a Gold Glove and is the surefire leader of the Dodgers staff when healthy.

While Los Angeles is tied atop the National League West with the San Diego Padres at 8-5, it needs Kershaw healthy if it is going to challenge for a third straight trip to the World Series.