The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their 2024 World Series championship with the organization’s first parade in 36 years, and it was all the more momentous for the likes of Walker Buehler, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and more players who were on the 2020 team as well.
Although those Dodgers ended the franchise’s World Series drought, they weren’t able to get the full experience of being champions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That changed Friday afternoon as Dodgers fans lined the streets in downtown and packed Dodger Stadium. Kershaw was emotional whenever speaking about the experience throughout the day, including his time on the stage in center field.
And while the 36-year-old is not yet retiring, Kershaw will undergo surgery on his left toe and knee before being able to pitch again in 2025, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Clayton Kershaw will undergo two surgeries on Wednesday he said.
One, to address his toe — there’s more damage than the bone spurs, including a ruptured plantar plate.
The second, to repair the meniscus in his left knee.
Timeline TBD.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 1, 2024
The bone spur issue prevented Kershaw from returning to pitch in the playoffs. The injury cut his Aug. 30 start short and wound up being Kershaw’s final time pitching this year.
He did attempt to navigate a rehab process and at one point managed to throw an extended bullpen session, but there wound up being an unspecified setback.
“It was just getting pretty mentally exhausting to continue to pitch, try to pitch. It just kept hurting, so I got another MRI and I made it worse,” Kershaw said before the Dodgers began the National League Division Series.
“So there was not point at this point to keep going. It’s unfortunate and I’m obviously super frustrated. It did not get better, so I couldn’t pitch.”
When will Clayton Kershaw return?
It’s not yet clear when Kershaw will get back on the mound next season, which he does anticipate coming with the Dodgers. He didn’t return from offseason shoulder surgery until late July of this year.
That was ahead of initial projections, but the bone spur injury limited Kershaw to just seven starts. His season nevertheless concluded with becoming a two-time World Series champion.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
