Public Enemy Number One Part Two: Clayton Kershaw Returns to the Bigs

This time Joe Torre swears it's for the duration. Clayton Kershaw has been in the majors before, struggling at times despite flashing dominance among some short inning, low pitch count outings. His last start was arguably his best of the season, despite not picking up the win, and the Dodgers promptly shipped him back to AA.

Kershaw wasn't happy about the whole thing, obviously, but such are the breaks of being a highly touted prospect. Comes with the groupies. But, if you're willing to persevere through the "hard times", ti all becomes worth it when the front office sticks you in Dodger blue for the rest of the season.

Top pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw will be recalled from double-A Jacksonville to start against the Colorado Rockies tonight and Manager Joe Torre said he expects the 20-year-old left-hander to remain in the majors for the rest of the season.

"It wasn't easy to send him out the last time because it looked like he was coming around a bit," Torre said.

Or, alternately, Joseph, perhaps it was very easy to call him back up this time because a) Los Angeles is in first place in the NL West, b) Brad Penny is still injured and c) Ned Colletti's hands are tied when it comes to making a trade.

Or maybe the Dodgers just have it all planned out for Kershaw to hit his innings limit somewhere in the postseason. That last idea sounds like a bit of a stretch, but it's not shock that he's in the majors again, it's just a little surprising to see him back up before August.

Fantasy Spin: I'd be snatching up Kershaw in any league I played in. Like Cole Hamels a few years ago, he has the potential to be a difference maker. Sure, potential is a fun word to lob around and it doesn't always mean much, but pitching with a wicked pair of pitches for a contender isn't a bad place to be. He'll struggle with his pitch count and walks, like any rookie, but longterm should be great.