Dodgers Place Clayton Kershaw On Injured List After Suffering Injury
Veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw is headed back to the injured list, just as he was beginning to find his rhythm. Kershaw exited Friday’s start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning due to a bone spur in his right toe.
He threw only 27 pitches before leaving the game, having allowed a leadoff home run to All-Star Corbin Carroll. While the Dodgers ultimately secured the win, the loss of their future Hall of Famer cast a shadow over the victory.
“There’s so much swelling,” manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday, according to The Athletic. “He can barely move around with it.”
Kershaw, 36, has endured several injury-plagued seasons in recent years. This season, he made his debut on July 25 after missing most of the year following offseason shoulder surgery—the first surgery of his professional career.
In his seven starts this season, Kershaw has posted a 2-2 record with a 4.50 ERA, 24 strikeouts, and a 1.50 WHIP over 30 innings. While these numbers are below the lofty standards Kershaw has set throughout his career, they highlight his ongoing battle with injuries and declining fastball velocity, which has dropped to 89.9 mph.
Kershaw is now expected to be sidelined until at least Sept. 15, adding uncertainty to his potential role in the postseason. In response, the Dodgers will bring up Ben Casparius from Triple-A Oklahoma City to bolster their pitching depth. Justin Wrobleski has also been called up for a spot start on Sunday, with an off-day on Thursday providing Kershaw some additional rest.
Despite holding a five-game lead in the National League West, the Dodgers face the challenge of keeping their rotation healthy for October. Reinforcements like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has begun a Triple-A rehab assignment, and Tyler Glasnow, who is dealing with right elbow tendinitis, could be key as the team navigates the final stretch of the regular season.
The Dodgers have been ridiculed with injuries the entire season. Some players have missed an extended period, or some will miss the entire season.
The 2024 Dodger season hasn’t been pretty on that front; however, they still hold a solid lead in their division and maintain the best record in the league.
October is all that matters in Los Angeles, and we’ll find out soon if Kershaw will be available for the Dodgers by then.
Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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Here we go agaiin. Last year we entered the playoffs wit one starter who was on the roster in April, an injured Kershaw, plus a discarded Cardinal, and rookies. Not a roster for the playoffs. Same this year – it looks like maybe we have one – a rookie – a discarded Cardinal, and rookies. Maybe a diminished Miller and/or Buehler. History is not positive for Glasnow or Yamamoto.
The Dodgers have to figure this out and make changes. They need a new trainer, stop overworking their rookies, and stop signing pitchers with histories of injuries. Something has to change, this is getting ridiculous.