While 2024 Spring Training has been underway for the Los Angeles Dodgers since the middle of February, Clayton Kershaw was not with the team during that time.
Kershaw was on hand when pitchers and catchers first reported in order to take a physical and make his re-signing official. He then left the team and was allowed to report late to Dodgers camp, and ended up returning to Camelback Ranch on Friday.
The southpaw is not an option to be on the Dodgers’ roster during the first half of the season as he recovers from the glenohumeral ligament and capsule repair he underwent in his left shoulder.
Kershaw appreciated the extra time, but he’s happy to be back in camp with the Dodgers, he told Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA:
“It’s been good. I’ve been doing the rehab at home and it’s kind of been good to get a little further along in the process so I can come here and kind of have something to do. I’m throwing now and feel a little bit more like you’re part of the team, even though we have a ways to go. But always good to get back out here, see everybody, and thankful for everybody with the Dodgers letting me be home for a little bit longer and stay with the fam, which has been great. It feels like where I’m supposed to be now. It was weird not being here and watching games on TV, but it’s always fun to come back and see everybody.”
Kershaw also expressed how thankful he was for the Dodgers giving him the extra time to spend with his family:
“Yeah, Charley and Cali are in school now. Cali’s in third grade, so they’re actually learning stuff, and she’s actually missing stuff when she’s not at school. So it was really helpful for me to be able to be there and not have them disrupt their school schedules, which I know not a lot of people get to do. So I’m definitely grateful for that time and super thankful to Andrew (Friedman), Doc (Dave Roberts), and all the guys who said it’s OK to do that. And they’re going to come out here for spring break here in a week or so. So I’m excited for that. But yeah, for me, it was great.”
Kershaw is going to spend much of the season back in Texas with his family while he rehabs, which will include joining the team at Dodger Stadium before heading back home while they’re on the road.
The Dodgers giving Kershaw the privilege shows how much they value him and trust the future Hall of Famer to rehab a lot of the time away from the club. He has also done some of his rehab work in Texas in the past.
Kershaw is not expected to be an option for the Dodgers until late July or August, if he’s able to come back at all. Even if he is unable to return in 2024, the Dodgers included a player option in his contract for 2025.
Clayton Kershaw felt wanted by Dodgers
The Dodgers maintained hope throughout the offseason that Kershaw would return to the only organization he has known. The future Hall of Famer was appreciative of the club’s interest and giving him all the time he needed to make a decision.
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