Clayton Kershaw Reveals He’s Set to Make Massive Step Toward Return to Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw is set to take a big step as he inches closer to returning to the mound.
While speaking to the media, Kershaw told said that he would face hitters on Saturday, the first time since his offseason knee and toe surgeries.
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The 37-year-old pitcher is set to face live hitters for the first time on Saturday. The Dodgers plan to take a cautious approach with the veteran left-hander’s rehab, but if everything goes smoothly, he could begin a rehab assignment by late May.
Nonetheless, this is big news for the Dodgers despite having a ton of pitchers at their disposal. Kershaw last pitched on Aug. 30, when he left a start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning after giving up a home run to Corbin Carroll.
After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery last year, he made his 2024 season debut on July 25. At the time, it was Kershaw’s first time going under the knife in his storied career.
While his return last season was highly anticipated, it was short lived. He hit the injured list with inflammation in his left big toe, ending his season. He did not pitch in the 2024 postseason.
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Now, that is all behind the future Hall of Famer. While that is the case, it is unclear what the plan for Kerahaw will be. The Dodgers are loaded with pitchers — especially starters — as they have Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Dustin May, and eventually Shohei Ohtani, among others.
At the beginning of March, Kershaw spoke to the media and was adamant that he did not want to stop pitching due to injuries.
“I don’t want [injuries] to be the reason that I stopped playing,” he said. “I don’t want to be, like, ‘I just can’t do it, [I’m] hurt.’ Hopefully, I can walk out on my own terms, whenever that is.”
The Dodgers will always embrace the Texas native, who could prove to be a key contributor to the team in the near future.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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