Clayton Kershaw underwent two surgeries last November, addressing both his left knee (a torn left meniscus) and his left big toe (a ruptured plantar plate). It was known that Kershaw would begin the season on the 60-day injured list and thus be sidelined until late May, but the future Hall-of-Famer shared some updates on his recovery process with Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register and other reporters yesterday.
Today will mark the first time since last season that Kershaw has faced hitters, as he’ll take part in a live batting practice session prior to the Dodgers’ game with the Tigers. This is the latest and most notable step in a slower ramp-up process that Kershaw said was like “going through spring training right now, basically.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, but definitely getting there,” Kershaw said. “I think overall it’s good progress. I’m not going to be happy until I’m out on the mound. But I think everybody – doctors and training staff – would say I’m doing what I need to be doing.”
Despite this positive view, there isn’t yet a set timeline in place for Kershaw’s return to the L.A. rotation, apart from the loose target date of the first day he is eligible to be activated off the 60-day IL. Kershaw said the plan is to build to game action, with an eye towards being in at least a minor league rehab assignment by the time late May rolls around.
The recovery from toe surgery is the larger issue than the knee surgery, as Kershaw noted that his toe problem relates specifically to his ability to push off the rubber. “There’s been only one or two baseball players that have had this surgery” as well, adding to the fluidity in the recovery process, even if there’s no reason yet why a late May activation wouldn’t be possible.
“It’s just kind of hard to guess when it heals compared to when you feel good enough to push off a mound. Kind of the timeline I’ve said before is kind of what we’ve all decided on,” Kershaw said.
Kershaw signed a one-year deal worth $7.5MM in guaranteed money (with more than twice that amount available in incentives) to return for what will be his 18th season both in the majors and with the Dodgers. He spent last winter also recovering from back surgery, and between that rehab process and then the toe issues that surfaced later in the year, Kershaw played only a limited role in the Dodgers’ championship season. The southpaw posted a 4.50 ERA over a career-low 30 innings, and didn’t see any action in the playoffs.
Los Angeles will eventually be adopting a six-man rotation once its injured starters get healthy, though the sheer number of arms on the roster could make for quite a logjam if everyone is available. Beyond Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani is also expected to make his return to the mound this season, even if Ohtani’s pitching ramp-up is something of a mystery at this point, even as he continues to slug away as the Dodgers’ designated hitter. Tony Gonsolin is another rotation candidate on the mend, and he threw his own live BP session on Friday.
Gonsolin had a Tommy John surgery in late August 2023, and he missed all of last season despite some faint hopes that he might’ve been able to get back to action at the very end of September. This seemingly paved the way for Gonsolin to be fully ready to go for this season’s opener, but he was shelved again on the 15-day IL when he hurt his back while lifting weights this spring.
“I felt like my body was feeling great….And then to have something like that non-baseball-related [injury] really sucked, honestly,” Gonsolin told Plunkett. “I don’t really have any other words for it. But again, it’s a minor setback, and I’ll try to take this time to build back up and get into an even better position.”
32 more K’s Kersh. 32 more K’s
After that, time to hang it up.
Millions of Dodger fans say no sir.
Sentimentality has no place in baseball. If upon his return he can contribute with quality starts while staying healthy, I’d be as happy as anyone.
If not, the Dodgers have more than enough arms in-house to make up for his absence.
I’d love him to pitch but when was he last really effective? Guy is injured all the time. Get the milestone and retire
It would take you less time to look, than it would to write that post.
130 innings – 2.46 ERA, in 2023
I believe you need to be introduced to Clayton Kershaw. He’s been around for a while.
Sentimentality has no place in baseball??? Are we watching the same game?
That’s a point. I was at the ring presentation ceremony game last night and I think CK got the biggest standing-o from the crowd, even compared to Freddie, Mookie and Shohei. Someday, maybe soon, he will hang it up. But for now, Dodger fans want to see him back on the mound.
My apologies… I know Kershaw well but I’m so used to him being the 200 IP ace he once was, so my fault for undervaluing him.
I must have missed something, because even as a grown man, long term fan. Baseball makes me sentimental and cry very regularly
I live and breath it
I don’t know why what you are used to is of any relevance. Even a diminished Kershaw is more valuable than at least half of the pitchers in baseball.
Okay, now you’re just getting unreasonable. We get it. Kershaw is a good pitcher. I still think he may choose retirement
Um, what?
2023 he started 24 games and was very effective
Why he is only 37, Verlander is 42 and he is dealing today. Kershaw would rack up another fifty wins before it’s all said and done. He has an outside shot at 300 if he can pitch into his mid forties. I’d go for it.
Based on previous seasons, the Dodgers will need all of these SP and more.
It will be a battle of attrition to get to the playoffs just like last year. But that’s why they brought in more arms, Dodgers just said screw it, we’ll solve the problem with more arms.
Hmmm, sort of. What they’ve actually said is they want to stay out of the trade deadline market, where the available talent is premium priced.
I thought and had assumed Walker Beuhler would be a Dodger for life, although with the Dodgers’ assortment of pitching riches, I do understand why they let him walk.
This has nothing to do with this article. Read the room.
Buehler left on his own, the team wanted to keep him.
I don’t know where you get that idea. All you need to do is look at the roster to see why Buehler is not on it.
He’s already had 2 TJs, and the Dodgers didn’t want to be on the hook when he goes down for the last time.
No, this isn’t it either.
The FO went large with Snell, Scott, Yates and Sasaki. Unfortunately, there were no roster spots for guys like Buehler and Flaherty. Maybe the trade deadline? We’ll see….
I would change the title of this article to “Latest on Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin”
He needs to give it up. He has nothing left.
The only thing keeping Kershaw from racking up 15 wins a season into his forties is his motivation to keep pitching. If he is healthy and motivated, he can win 15 games a season with the Dodgers.
I’m guessing he want to win another championship where he is contributing, then retire and focus more on his family.
To each their own, it’s a milestone that is important to some. I’d go for it. I think he can win the games but it’s a difficult six or seven seasons when you get that age.
Verlander got taken deep as soon as I posted and is on the hook for the L. He had the lead. He has to win 15 games this year to keep him going for hat record. Will need every break he can get to get those wins. But he can still pitch.
He has said many times that he will continue to pitch for as long as he can contribute. He is not chasing records or longevity and has never needed any other motivation.
The six-man rotation isn’t just about load management—it’s about maximizing trade leverage. It allows them to shop a controllable arm like Gonsolin, Sheehan, or Stone
It will be interesting to see how they handle that when Kershaw and Ohtani are both ready to go.