Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Another three-inning rehab start
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) covered three innings Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa in his second rehab start, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out four.
After tossing three scoreless frames in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 16, Kershaw moved down a level and matched that innings count, but he doubled his pitch count from 30 to 60. Since he opened the season on the 60-day injured list while recovering from left toe and left knee surgeries, Kershaw won't be eligible for activation until May 17, so he'll likely build up to around five or six innings and 80 to 90 pitches over two or three more rehab starts before making his 2025 debut.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Making rehab start Tuesday
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) told reporters Saturday that his next rehab start will take place Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Kershaw made his first rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, tossing 30 pitches in three scoreless inning while allowing two hits and striking out two without issuing a walk. Kershaw may stay in Oklahoma City for his next rehab start or move to Double-A Tulsa depending on the weather report. The veteran southpaw continues to progress in his recovery from offseason surgery on his left knee and a left big toe injury.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Turns in scoreless rehab start
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) struck out two and allowed two hits and issued no walks over three scoreless innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma on Wednesday.
Kershaw threw 22 of 30 pitches for strikes and sported a four-seamer that averaged just 87.5 miles per hour and topped out at 88.8 mph, which is down significantly from the 89.9 mph he averaged with the heater last season. However, the lack of velocity is not especially surprising given that Kershaw was pitching in a competitive setting for the first time this season. Kershaw isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until May 17, so the Dodgers are prepared to give him the full 30 days he's allotted on his rehab assignment.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Making rehab start Wednesday
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kershaw isn't eligible to return from the injured list until May 17, but the fact that he's already been cleared to begin a rehab assignment is an encouraging sign that he may be able to return around then. While the Dodgers have a great deal of rotation depth, the 37-year-old lefty still figures to have a starting role once healthy.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Arm 'ready to go,' toe not there
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) said Monday that his arm is "ready to go," but his surgically repaired left big toe "isn't all the way there," David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
The veteran lefty also had offseason surgery on his left knee, but it sounds like the toe is the bigger obstacle he needs to overcome. Kershaw faced hitters at the Dodgers' spring training complex in Arizona last Thursday and will do so again this Thursday. He is already on the 60-day injured list and thus not eligible to return until late May. There is no timetable for Kershaw's season debut.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Facing hitters Saturday
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) will face live hitters Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Saturday will mark the first time Kershaw has thrown against a live opponent since undergoing surgeries on his left knee and left big toe during the offseason. The Dodgers are going to progress the veteran lefty through his rehab slowly, but if all goes according to plan, he'll be able to head out on a rehab assignment by the end of May.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Shifted to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Dodgers transferred Kershaw (toe/knee) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw was initially placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Game 1 of the Tokyo Series, which seemingly indicated that the veteran southpaw was ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason surgeries on his left knee and left big toe. However, he has now moved to the 60-day IL, which opens up a roster spot for Matt Sauer and keeps Kershaw on his expected return timeline. The 36-year-old is now ineligible to return to Los Angeles until May 27, though he's hopeful to be fully healthy by then.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Starting season on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
It was reported earlier in camp that Kershaw expected to begin the regular season on the 60-day IL, so this may be a sign that he's further along in his recovery than expected. Even so, the Dodgers won't make any moves to rush him back from offseason left toe and left knee surgery.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Feeling good after surgeries
Rotowire
Kershaw said Thursday that he's "not 100 percent yet" but has felt good while throwing off the mound "a couple times" this spring since undergoing surgeries in November on his left big toe and left knee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Kershaw is unlikely to be cleared to pitch in games at any point during Cactus League play, as the southpaw has already acknowledged that he expects to begin the season on the 60-day injured list, which would delay his 2025 debut until at least late May. That said, he seems to have thus far avoided any snags during his spring throwing progression, and he could be cleared to resume facing hitters in live batting practice before camp comes to a close in late March.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Expected to go on 60-day IL
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) said Thursday that he expects to be placed on the 60-day injured list but is hopeful of being ready once those 60 days are up, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw underwent surgery on both his left knee and left toe during the offseason, but he has passed a physical and his one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Dodgers became official Thursday. The future Hall of Famer has been throwing on flat ground, but it's not clear when he might be ready for mound work. Kershaw will be brought along slowly, which is a luxury the Dodgers can afford given their rotation depth.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Reaches new deal
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe/knee) agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers and is in camp Tuesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. The veteran lefty will earn between $5 million and $10 million guaranteed on the deal, which is expected to contain multiple performance-related bonuses.
The 36-year-old declined his 2025 player option in November, but it's always been the expectation that he would remain in Los Angeles. Kershaw underwent surgery on both his left knee and left toe during the offseason and still has to receive a physical exam before the deal is finalized. He doesn't have an official return timeline but isn't expected to be in game-ready shape by Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Clayton Kershaw: Begins throwing progression
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) has begun throwing and remains in contact with the Dodgers about returning to the organization, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said at the team's DodgerFest event Saturday that Kershaw and the organization are working to finalize a reunion. Kershaw had surgery on both his left toe and his left knee in the offseason and isn't expected to be ready to pitch by the start of the campaign, but he's publicly stated that he intends to return to Los Angeles for what would be his 18th big-league season. Given that timeline and the Dodgers' loaded rotation, there doesn't seem to be urgency to work out contract details, but it would be a major shock if Kershaw were to pitch for anyone except Los Angeles in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Clayton Kershaw: Declines option
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) became a free agent after declining his player option Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw has publicly stated that he intends to pitch for the Dodgers next season, but he'll officially become a free agent while the two sides work toward a new contract. He made seven starts for LA during the 2024 campaign, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 24 strikeouts over 30.0 innings before his season was ended due to bone spurs in his left big toe.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Scheduled for surgery
Rotowire
Kershaw said Friday that he will undergo surgery on his toe and left knee Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Kershaw's season came to an early end in late August due to bone spurs in his left big toe, and his toe surgery Wednesday will address the issue as well as a ruptured plantar plate. He has also been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee, which will require an additional procedure. A timeline for his return likely won't be available until after the operations, though the veteran lefty confidently said Friday that he will pitch for the Dodgers in 2025. Kershaw is 32 strikeouts away from reaching 3,000 for his career.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Plans to continue pitching in 2025
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) said Monday in an interview on FOX that he plans to continue his baseball career in 2025, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kershaw returned from left shoulder surgery in late July to make seven starts but saw his season end in late August due to a bone spur in his left big toe. It's not clear whether he might need surgery on the toe or if it will heal from rest, but Kershaw noted Monday that his shoulder and elbow feel "great." Kershaw has a $7.5 million player option for 2025 and it's not known if he just plans to pick that up or he and the Dodgers might work out a different agreement. Slated to turn 37 in March, Kershaw posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 30 innings in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Won't pitch again this season
Rotowire
Kershaw's injured toe has not improved, and he won't be available to pitch again in 2024 regardless of how far the Dodgers advance in the playoffs, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Kershaw is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe and hasn't pitched since Aug. 30. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Saturday that the issue may have gotten worse as the veteran southpaw has tried to prepare for a return, and that will prevent Kershaw from pitching again this season. The future Hall of Famer was limited to a career-low seven appearances in 2024 and posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 30 innings.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Progress stalled
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) will not be available for at least a couple more weeks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Manager Dave Roberts told the media that Kershaw's progress has stalled and that Kershaw is dealing with pain in his toe as well as other unspecific issues. It was already known that he would not be back for the regular season, though his status for the postseason now also appears to be in jeopardy.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Not ready to face hitters
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Kershaw (toe) won't face hitters this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Roberts added that Kershaw will continue to throw bullpen sessions, though the manager's comments make it seem highly unlikely that the veteran lefty makes another appearance during the regular season. He still has a chance to contribute to the Dodgers' playoff run, though that will likely depend on how fast his toe heals and how far Los Angeles advances in the postseason.
Kershaw (toe) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw's injured big left toe isn't at 100 percent, and the injury has prevented the veteran southpaw from executing pitches in a timely fashion, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Kershaw may need another bullpen session or two before facing live hitters as he aims to return from the 15-day injured list before the start of the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Completes mound session
Rotowire
Kershaw (toe) threw an extended bullpen session Wednesday in Miami, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander threw between 80 and 83 pitches in what was Kershaw's first time on a mound since he landed on the 15-day injured list at the end of August with a bone spur in his left big toe. Roberts previously had said it was unlikely Kershaw would make it back before the end of the season, but the fact that Kershaw was able to throw so many pitches in the bullpen session Wednesday suggests the door is ajar for a return next week. Kershaw will likely need to face hitters in live batting practice or a simulated game before getting the green light to return from the IL.
