Latest Clayton Kershaw Update Doesn’t Bode Well for His Return in Dodgers’ Postseason

The postseason is finally here, but the Dodgers will likely lack their three-time Cy Young starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw. A bone spur in his left big toe is expected to keep Kershaw off the mound for the remainder of the season.

The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reported Kershaw has not faced any batters, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Wednesday. Additionally, Kershaw does not seem to be making quick progress toward it. 

Although Kershaw has not faced any batters, he has remained active by playing catch. He has also thrown in flat-ground sessions while wearing tennis shoes or a walking boot to protect his left foot. Additionally, Kershaw pitched off a makeshift mound with only a sock covering his foot at the beginning of September. But, ultimately, he has not made enough progress to be prepared for postseason play.

The former Dodgers ace was sidelined for most of this season before returning to the mound at the end of July. Recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Kershaw’s performance since returning has not matched his past abilities. 

Across seven starts this season, Kershaw logged a career-worst 4.50 ERA. He threw 24 strikeouts and had nine walks while allowing 36 hits, 19 runs, and two home runs. Kershaw has not accrued a season ERA higher than 3.55 since his rookie season in 2008.

The 10-time National League All-Star is far from the only Dodgers starting pitcher on the injured list. Gavin Stone, Tyler Glasnow, River Ryan, and Tony Gonsolin are all on the 60-day IL. With the injury to Stone, the Dodgers had no starters who did not missed starts due to injury this season.

In regards to position players, Freddie Freeman, Miguel Rojas, and Kevin Kiermaier are not on the injured list but are being evaluated on a day-by-day basis. Freeman and Rojas will start in Game 1 of the NLDS, though.

Despite missing several key starting pitchers, the Dodgers will start Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the first two games of the NLDS.

Photo Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!