The Los Angeles Dodgers had their five-game winning streak snapped and now welcome back Clayton Kershaw as they look to avoid settling for a series tie with the San Francisco Giants.
Kershaw was activated off the 60-day injured list for his start in the finale at Dodger Stadium. He only made three starts on a rehab assignment, throwing a combined 10 innings and allowing four runs.
Kershaw is making Dodgers franchise history as their first player to pitch in 17 seasons.
“He is on tilt in the sense that he is just so overjoyed to get to participate again. So I think it’s going to be emotional for him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I really do, to just get back to playing.
“I’ll keep an eye on him, but I might have a little conversation, but obviously he’s been through it so many times and I think we all just really want him to pitch well.”
Kershaw went 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA, 4.03 FIP and 1.06 WHIP in 24 starts last season. He missed six weeks because of a left shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery during the offseason.
It represented the first time Kershaw had surgery in his career, but the longtime ace remained determined to pitch in 2024.
Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year contract that includes a player option for the 2025 season in addition to multiple incentives and performance bonuses.
Yohan Ramírez was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to the Dodgers activating Kershaw.
The Giants counter with Logan Webb, who has often started opposite Kershaw in matchups over the past six years. Webb enters 7-8 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 21 starts this season.
One of those was at Dodger Stadium on April 2, when Webb allowed five runs on seven hits in just 3.2 innings and was tabbed with the loss. The right-hander fared better against the Dodgers at home on May 15, as he shut them out over six innings to earn a win.
Webb faces a Dodgers team that does not include Chris Taylor, who was put on the 10-day injured list with a strained left groin. James Outman was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Taylor’s roster spot.
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
LF: Teoscar Hernández
1B: Freddie Freeman
CF: Andy Pages
2B: Gavin Lux
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Kiké Hernández
C: Austin Barnes
SS: Nick Ahmed
Giants lineup
DH: Jorge Soler
SS: Tyler Fitzgerald
CF: Heliot Ramos
3B: Matt Chapman
C: Patrick Bailey
1B: David Villar
2B: Thairo Estrada
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
LF: Derek Hill
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