The Los Angeles Dodgers are concluding the regular season on Sunday with nothing to play for in terms of the postseason and with Clayton Kershaw making his final start of the year.
Kershaw announced plans to retire after his 18th season, which allowed for a celebratory moment with his last start at Dodger Stadium. He then addressed fans before the Dodgers played their final home game of the regular season.
The future Hall of Famer made a bullpen appearance against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a potential October audition, and now is on the mound for the 451st start of his career.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, Kershaw won’t make a shortened outing and thus isn’t an option for the Dodgers postseason roster come the Wild Card Series:
Clayton Kershaw will not be available for Wild Card series after starting today. Kershaw would be available if #Dodgers advance per Dave Roberts.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) September 28, 2025
Emmet Sheehan pitched one inning in the series opener against the Seattle Mariners in order to be available in a bullpen role for the Wild Card round.
Tyler Glasnow’s start on Saturday was only three innings as the Dodgers looked to maintain some flexibility with possibly having him in the bullpen as well for the best-of-three series that begins at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.
The Dodgers have not publicly set their Wild Card Series rotation, but Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are expected to be named the starters in some order.
Dodgers playoffs: Clayton Kershaw ready for bullpen role
Kershaw over recent weeks has alluded to recognizing he’s among a surplus of starting pitchers and there potentially would not be a need for him in the Dodgers rotation come October.
He’s expressed a willingness to pitch out of the bullpen and contribute in any capacity as the Dodgers look to repeat as World Series champions.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers do have a bevy of left-handed relief pitchers to choose from, and they seemingly are better fits for the Wild Card Series roster.
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