Clayton Kershaw faced questions about his future after undergoing left shoulder surgery, but committed to pitching again in 2024 and is making steady progress toward that becoming a reality.
The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Kershaw to a one-year contract with a player option for 2025, understanding that the longtime ace likely wouldn’t take the mound this year until after the All-Star break.
After completing a throwing progression from flat ground and advancing to bullpen sessions, Kershaw faced batters last week for the first time. The one-inning exercise went well and put Kershaw on track to pitch to batters again on Friday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw’s fastball velocity got up to 90 mph over the two innings of work with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
Kershaw took another significant step in the right direction on June 7, completing two simulated innings at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw touched 90 mph during the session, another positive sign for the left-hander.
Kershaw’s fastball velocity topped out at 88 mph when he first pitched to hitters.
The next step for Kershaw is to complete three innings against hitters next week. With the Dodgers due to be back at home during that time frame, the 35-year-old presumably will face some of his teammates at Dodger Stadium once again. Though, last week’s group included Dodgers prospect Kendall George as well.
Kershaw was encouraged after facing hitters at Dodger Stadium last week, but remained steadfast in declining to set any sort of timetable for his return from the 60-day injured list.
Clayton Kershaw ‘way ahead of schedule’
When previously discussing Kershaw’s progress and outlook, Roberts noted he was “way ahead of schedule.”
“I think that’s really encouraging,” Roberts added. “I think just every event that happens, just continue to move forward and build on the positives. It’s still going to be like six weeks is something where it’s probably fair.
“If you look at the progression of a pitcher doing his first day in Spring Training, the second day of pitchers and catchers essentially, doing a one-inning situation, then you’re talking about six weeks. But obviously, with Clayton, we’re going to kind of read and react. But I think there’s still going to be a consistent process.”
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