With Clayton Kershaw being placed on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder soreness, he is no longer eligible to pitch in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. As a result, Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar was named Kershaw’s injury replacement on the National League roster.
For Bednar, it marks his second consecutive selection to the Midsummer Classic. He improved to 3-0 this season after throwing 1.2 scoreless innings in the Pirates’ 9-7 win over the Dodgers on the Fourth of July.
Prior to the matchup, Bednar gifted Kershaw a cooler of “Pittsburgh’s finest beer” as a token of appreciation for him being able to participate in this year’s All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park.
Even with Kershaw not being able to pitch, the Dodgers’ five All-Star selections is good for third-most this year. Only the Atlanta Braves (eight) and Texas Rangers (six) have more All-Star representatives heading to Seattle.
To: Mr. Kershaw
From: David pic.twitter.com/x0jEXZjOYF
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 4, 2023
Kershaw initially hoped to avoid an IL stint and simply be pushed back from his scheduled start on Monday. “Ideally, I wish I could’ve skipped a start and made the next one, but that’s not where we’re at with our pitching,” Kershaw said.
“Sometimes roster decision take precedent, and I understand that. Once again, frustrating, disappointing. Shoulder does feel better now, so it’s trending upward. I feel confident I’ll be ready after the break. Just try to find stuff to do for the next week, I guess.”
Clayton Kershaw tied Dodgers All-Star record
In being named to the NL roster for this year’s Midsummer Classic, Kershaw tied the Dodgers franchise record with 10 career All-Star Game selections. He shares it with Brooklyn legend Pee Wee Reese, who was selected to the exhibition game in 1942 and from 1946-1954.
Kershaw reached the All-Star Game every season from 2011-2017. He returned to the annual event in 2019 but it wasn’t until 2022 that Kershaw made his first career All-Star Game start
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
