Yohan Ramírez was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstating Clayton Kershaw from the 60-day injured list.
Kershaw returns Thursday to start in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants for his 2024 debut. He underwent left shoulder surgery during the offseason but never doubted pitching this season. The surgery was Kershaw’s first of his career.
“I didn’t really believe people, honestly, when they said, ‘Hey, it’s an up-and-down thing. You’re going to have good days and bad days, and you just have to kind of push yourself through it.’ I was like, ‘No. They fixed it and I’m going to be good,'” Kershaw said after his second rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
“I think I was right more than I was wrong, but there’s definitely a few in there where there were a couple speed bumps that were part of the process. I’m thankful that I went through it now that I’m on the backend of it. It’s not a fun process by any means.”
Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on one-year contract that includes a player option for 2025. The total value of the deal can reach $37.5 million over the two years if Kershaw reaches various incentives and performance bonuses.
By starting on Thursday, Kershaw is making Dodgers franchise history as their first player to ever pitch in 17 seasons. The Dodgers selected Kershaw with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft. The left-hander made his MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 25, 2008.
Kershaw pitched a combined 10 innings, allowed four runs and eight hits while collecting 12 strikeouts against two walks over his three starts while on rehab assignment.
Yohan Ramírez DFA
Ramírez became the third Dodgers pitcher designated for assignment this week. The first was James Paxton and next was Ricky Vanasco on Wednesday.
For Ramírez, the DFA comes one day after he struggled to the tune of five runs allowed and just two batters retired as the Giants broke the game open in the eighth inning. Three of the runs were charged to Ramírez after he was replaced by Joe Kelly.
Ramírez went 0-5 with a 5.98 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 37 appearances for the Dodgers. He joined the team via trade from the New York Mets after they designated Ramírez for assignment in May.
The 29-year-old largely struggled throughout his time with the Dodgers but did produce a string of six consecutive appearances at one point.
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