Kershaw underwent surgery Friday to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kershaw broke the news himself on Instagram and added that he is "hopeful to return to play at some point next summer." It's a vague timetable for the 35-year-old southpaw as he enters free agency, but at the very least this would seem to indicate he plans to continue his career rather than retire. Kershaw was effective when healthy in 2023, posting a 2.46 ERA over 24 starts, but his stuff was noticeably down late in the year, and he recorded just one out in his lone postseason outing. He's facing a long rehab and uncertainty in regard to how effective he might be if he does indeed make it back next season.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Could get shoulder re-examined
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Kershaw is considering receiving an additional examination of his left shoulder, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw was initially injured in late June, with the Dodgers providing only a vague "left shoulder inflammation" diagnosis. He returned following a six-week absence and pitched well down the stretch of the regular season. His velocity was diminished, though, and he was bludgeoned for six runs while recording just one out in his lone postseason start. Kershaw will be a free agent this offseason and expects to contemplate for several weeks before deciding whether to continue his career. The condition of his shoulder certainly could play a big factor in his decision.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: In line for potential Game 4
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Kershaw is in line to start a potential Game 4 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw was torched for six runs while recording just one out in the Dodgers' Game 1 loss. The lefty's velocity and stuff was noticeably down in the outing, although manager Dave Roberts insisted afterward that the shoulder issue Kershaw has battled wasn't a problem. Kershaw would be starting on four days' rest in Game 4, something he hasn't done since May 21. He did throw only 35 pitches in Game 1, though. Kershaw posted a 2.23 ERA over his final eight regular-season starts after returning from the injured list, although that came with a 32:16 K:BB over 36.1 innings, and he didn't go more than 5.1 frames in any outing.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Named Game 1 starter
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The Dodgers announced Kershaw as their starter for Game 1 of Los Angeles' NL Divisional Series matchup against the Diamondbacks.
As expected, Kershaw will kick off the Dodgers' postseason run Saturday after recording a 2.41 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 131.2 innings in the regular season. The 35-year-old ace will face a Diamondbacks offense that put up a .730 OPS during the regular season -- the lowest mark out of the teams remaining in the postseason.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Lining up for Game 1 of NLDS
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Kershaw appears in line to start Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Kershaw had a chance for one final tune-up Saturday night against the Giants, surrendering two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.1 innings. He would ultimately take the loss in a low-scoring contest, though he looked sharp, firing 52 of his 83 pitches for strikes. Manager Dave Roberts all but solidified Kershaw as the starter for Game 1, so expect an official announcement to arrive sometime next week.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Easy work in win
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Kershaw (13-4) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.
Kershaw didn't have to do much, as J.D. Martinez provided the Dodgers with three RBI over the first three innings. Since returning from the injured list in mid-August, Kershaw has given up just seven runs over 31 innings across seven appearances. The southpaw is now at a 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 132:38 K:BB through 126.1 innings over 23 starts. His 13 wins are his most in four years, while his innings count is the same as it was in 2022. Kershaw is expected to start once more in the regular season next weekend in a rematch with the Giants at Oracle Park.
Kershaw allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Saturday.
Kershaw was coming off of having his turn skipped due to a left shoulder issue. He ended up working a short start, throwing 56 pitches (34 strikes) before turning the ball over to Emmet Sheehan, who followed up with three more scoreless innings. Kershaw has dealt with the shoulder troubles throughout the second half of the campaign, and with the Dodgers clinching the NL West on Saturday, he may be given additional time off before the playoffs. He's pitched to a 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 127:36 K:BB through 121.1 innings over 22 starts this season, matching the number of appearances he's made in each of the previous two campaigns. He's tentatively projected for a home outing against the Giants his next time out.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Lined up for Saturday
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Kershaw (shoulder) is expected to make his next start Saturday in Seattle, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw was skipped on his latest turn through the Dodgers' rotation, but manager Dave Roberts assured reporters Sunday that the veteran left-hander is not in danger of requiring a stint on the injured list. He's battled off-and-on shoulder issues for much of the second half but threw a bullpen session Tuesday without issue.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Next start pushed back
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Kershaw will have his next start pushed back to Friday against the Mariners, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw was initially slated to start Monday against the Padres, but he'll be pushed back to late in the week. While the left-hander recently dealt with a shoulder issue, manager Dave Roberts emphasized Sunday that the move wasn't made due to a setback but rather to line up Kershaw's starts better late in the season. Gavin Stone will be called up to start Monday's matchup, with Ryan Yarbrough slated to hit the paternity list.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Pitching with bad shoulder
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Kershaw is pitching through "continued left shoulder trouble" but will play through the injury down the stretch, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Roberts added that Kershaw's shoulder is affecting both his velocity and command. However, giving him an extended rest between starts wouldn't help the issue, so Kershaw will continue to pitch as scheduled in the Dodgers' rotation unless his condition worsens. The 35-year-old ace gave up three runs over five innings during his start Tuesday against Miami and didn't factor into the decision en route to a Marlins victory.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Cruises to 12th win
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Kershaw (12-4) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers took control of this game early, so Kershaw was pulled with 79 pitches (42 strikes). He wasn't at his sharpest, but he was good enough to collect his second win in four starts since returning from a shoulder injury. The southpaw has allowed four runs over 17 innings in that span. He's now at a 2.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 120:29 K:BB through 112.1 innings over 20 starts this season. If the Dodgers keep giving him ample run support, he may continue to see shorter outings down the stretch to stay fresh for the postseason. Kershaw is lined up for a challenging home start against Atlanta this weekend.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Start halted by rain
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Kershaw allowed one run on one hit while striking out four batters over two innings against Cleveland on Wednesday in a game that was suspended due to rain.
Kershaw seemed to have his stuff working early, racking up eight swinging strikes on 33 pitches and getting each of his final four outs via strikeout. He allowed a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the first inning but held a 3-1 lead after two frames before the contest was halted and then suspended due to rain. Perhaps the short outing will be positive for Kershaw in the long run, as he's dealt with multiple injuries over the past few seasons and was making just this third start Wednesday since returning from an injury absence that lasted about six weeks. The Dodgers and Guardians will resume the suspended contest Thursday, but Kershaw obviously won't pitch in that contest and thus won't factor into the decision.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Picks up 11th win
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Kershaw allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings to improve to 11-4 on the season in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Brewers.
Kershaw again limited the damage to one solo home run for the second start in a row since he returned from left shoulder inflammation. The southpaw threw 44 of 71 pitches for strikes in this outing. With the Dodgers comfortably in the driver's seat in the NL West, it's no surprise they're taking it easy on Kershaw down the stretch. He's at a 2.48 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 111:26 K:BB through 105.1 innings over 18 starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Cleveland.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Tosses five strong frames in return
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Kershaw allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Thursday.
Kershaw made his return from the injured list after missing about six weeks due to left shoulder inflammation. The legendary southpaw looked good in his return, limiting the Rockies to one run on an Elehuris Montero solo shot in the fifth inning. Kershaw tossed 45 of 67 pitches for strikes and lowered his season ERA to 2.51. The Dodgers figure to allow Kershaw to ease back into things with an eye toward the postseason, though the future Hall of Famer has long had a knack for going deep into games without racking up a ton of pitches.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Activated for start
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The Dodgers reinstated Kershaw (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Thursday against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Kershaw has been on the IL since July 3 due to inflammation in his left shoulder. The 35-year-old lefty put up an incredible 1.09 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 33 innings across his last five starts before getting injured, though it's possible Kershaw shows a little bit of rust after not pitching in over a month. Victor Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Expected back Thursday
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Monday that Kershaw (shoulder) is "very likely" to return from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday against the Rockies, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kershaw had already been trending toward a Thursday return, and Roberts has all but locked it in at this point. The southpaw threw a bullpen session Sunday without issue, and as long as he recovers without incident, he'll be cleared to make his first major-league start since July 3. The future Hall of Famer has been dealing with inflammation in his left shoulder.
Kershaw (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Sunday and appears on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday versus the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Kershaw checked out fine following a simulated game this past Thursday, and assuming his shoulder responds well to the bullpen session, his next time on the mound will come this week with the Dodgers. As Vassegh notes, Kershaw typically throws his bullpen sessions three days before his starts, making Thursday his likeliest date for a return to the Dodgers rotation. Kershaw has resided on the IL since July 3 due to an inflamed left shoulder.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Likely back next week
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Kershaw (shoulder) is on track to return from the 15-day injured list next week, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.
Kershaw faced live hitters in another successful simulated game Thursday at Dodger Stadium as he continues to take positive steps forward in his recovery from a bout of left shoulder inflammation. The veteran southpaw hasn't pitched in a major-league game since June 27, but it sounds like he'll be allowed to skip a minor-league rehab assignment. The final box to check is a weekend bullpen session.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Tosses three simulated innings
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Kershaw (shoulder) worked three innings in a simulated game Saturday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The sim game took place five days later than originally anticipated, though Kershaw hasn't had any setbacks. The left-hander has been ramping up as he pushes toward a return to the Dodgers rotation, which could happen as soon as next week, depending how he feels in the coming days. Kershaw's last start took place in Colorado on June 27, but he could return without needing a rehab assignment despite spending over a month on the shelf.
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Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Set for sim game
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Kershaw (shoulder) will throw a multi-inning simulated game over the weekend, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Manager Dave Roberts indicated that the 35-year-old lefty will be added back into the rotation if his shoulder doesn't give him any issues after the sim game. No specific return date has been mentioned, but it's possible Kershaw is activated from the 15-day injured list during the Dodgers' upcoming series against San Diego next weekend. Kershaw holds a 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 16 starts and has been on the IL since July 3.
