Clayton Kershaw has experienced mixed results since returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation last month.
In his 2024 debut against the San Francisco Giants, the left-hander allowed two runs and collected six strikeouts over four innings of work.
Then in Kershaw’s next start against the San Diego Padres, he gave up seven runs (three earned) and did not record a strikeout across 3.2 innings pitched. It was the first time Kershaw didn’t have at least one strikeout in a start during the regular season.
Despite not being as sharp as he would have hoped, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior has been impressed with the consistency of Kershaw’s delivery, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“Most guys coming off of any surgery, there’s hesitation in the delivery … or things to the naked eye that just don’t look right,” Prior said. “But with him, it’s crazy how consistent his delivery has been. The first time you saw him throw, you were like, ‘This is almost identical to where he was before.’ That’s been good to see.”
Although Kershaw’s results have left a lot to be desired, the Dodgers coaching staff has been encouraged by his health. Manager Dave Roberts specifically noted that Kershaw has recovered well after starts.
“I think the thing that stood out is the strength of the shoulder,” Roberts recently said of Kershaw. “I think the recovery has been great in the sense of last year, the last couple years, when he was throwing afterward, there was soreness, pain and trying to just get to the next start.
“Where now, days after he throws, he feels strong, he feels fresh. The soreness in the right parts of the body. And the stuff for me, like I said a couple days ago, is better than it was last year. So results, we’ll wait and see, but I just feel like where he’s at physically, I see good things happening.”
Clayton Kershaw made Dodgers franchise history
When Kershaw took the mound against the Giants, he became the first player in Dodgers franchise history to pitch in 17 seasons. “It kind of makes me feel old a little bit,” Kershaw said of the accomplishment.
“But at the same time, I don’t take for granted what this organization means to a lot of people in Los Angeles and all over the world. For me to be here that long, it’s a huge honor.”
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