When the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Clayton Kershaw during the offseason it was with an understanding he likely would not return from left shoulder surgery until some time after the All-Star break.
Kershaw and the Dodgers declined to publicly reveal any sort of timeline, but most expectations didn’t have him back with the team until August. Kershaw wound making his 2024 debut on July 25 and pitched well before a left big toe injury interrupted his season.
As the Dodgers continue to deal with a rash of injuries in their starting rotation, manager Dave Roberts said a best-case scenario for Kershaw returning this year would be in the postseason, per ESPN’s Alden González:
Clayton Kershaw, fighting through a bone spur in his left big toe, has been throwing off a makeshift mound but Roberts acknowledged that it’s unlikely he makes it back to the rotation before the end of the regular season.
When Kershaw was removed after one-plus inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 30, the Dodgers announced it was due to left big toe pain.
Roberts revealed after their loss the discomfort was caused by a bone spur that Kershaw has dealt with for multiple seasons. The left-hander declined to get into specifics but noted he was having trouble pushing off the mound.
Kershaw has continued to play catch and recently was throwing off a makeshift mound. He also has worn a walking boot at times to help alleviate pressure being put on the toe, with the goal of reducing inflammation.
Prior to his comments on Saturday, Roberts had indicated the Dodgers were “hopeful” of Kershaw returning during the regular season, even if it was only for one start.
“He’s doing everything he possibly can to be able to realize that goal. I saw him throw, and obviously the toe is not healed. Like I’ve said, he’s keeping his arm moving, but it’s still got to heal,” Roberts added.
“And if it doesn’t, and it’s limiting, then it’s just not putting himself, whether it’s performance or health of other parts of his body in jeopardy. Like I said, Clayton is doing everything he possibly can, so I think hopeful is right where I’m at.”
Along with Kershaw not being expected to return during the season, Tyler Glasnow’s year has likely come to an end because of a right elbow sprain.
Clayton Kershaw injury details
Kershaw’s toe issue is somewhat similar to Freddie Freeman playing through a hairline fracture in his right middle finger.
Neither player is going to get fully healthy this season, but Roberts considers Kershaw’s injury in a different light when compared to Freeman’s, in part because of there being more in the toe than just a bone spur.
“You’re talking about first base, doesn’t affect the hitting, the throwing is still limited,” Roberts said. “And then you’re talking about the foot, the toe, the push off, trying to throw 75 to 100 pitches, building the body to then get the hand speed to execute pitches.
“It’s also not just a spur, there’s some, I don’t know if it’s tendons or ligaments. There’s other things going on that I don’t think it’s even close to similar.”
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