When the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Clayton Kershaw in February it was with an understanding his 2025 debut would be delayed because of having left toe and knee surgeries during the offseason.
Kershaw needed toe surgery because of a bone spur that ended his 2024 season early, and he also had a torn meniscus in his left knee. It was a second consecutive offseason that he underwent surgery.
Following the 2023 season, Kershaw had surgery of his left shoulder, which is still in good standing.
While Kershaw is on the 60-day injured list, he began a rehab assignment last week with Triple-A Oklahoma City. According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, Kershaw’s next start is Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa:
Kershaw will be pitching for Double-A @TulsaDrillers in Arkansas tomorrow. https://t.co/02kkgNDxYi
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 21, 2025
The start is going to be Kershaw’s first with the Drillers since he made one while on a rehab assignment in 2019.
There had been some consideration to having Kershaw remain with the OKC Comets for another rehab, but they are on the road in Salt Lake City, where there is cool temperatures and inclement weather in the forecast.
The Drillers also are on the road, but it will be warmer at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark.
Kershaw was efficient over three scoreless innings in his start for Oklahoma City last week. He then threw more pitches in the bullpen.
“I think anytime in rehab, you want to feel healthy, which I do. I felt good today,” Kershaw said after his outing. “And then you want to see your stuff obviously play. I got some quick outs, which was good. There’s some things I need to work on still, but for the first one, overall it was a good step forward.”
Clayton Kershaw’s timeline
Although Kershaw is already in the midst of his rehab assignment, he still remains weeks away from joining the Dodgers. The earliest that would occur is Saturday, May 17, when Kershaw is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list.
When discussing his outlook and potential timeline for the season, the 37-year-old pointed to June as the likely point for his return.
Due to the injuries he battled through, Kershaw went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 3.53 FIP and 1.50 WHIP in 30 innings pitched across just seven last year. It was the first time since his rookie season in 2008 that Kershaw posted an ERA above 4.00.
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