LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw’s season is officially over after his injured left big toe didn’t show substantive progress, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.
Kershaw, 36, hadn’t pitched since Aug. 30 because of a bone spur (among other issues with his toe). The three-time Cy Young Award winner was already seen as a long shot to return during the Dodgers’ postseason run, which begins Saturday night against the San Diego Padres.
Kershaw, however, continued to throw and try various remedies to pitch without much discomfort. He never progressed to the point of facing hitters.
“Clayton has done everything he can to keep this thing moving forward and giving himself a chance to participate in the postseason,” Roberts said. “But where he’s at right now, physically, the foot, the toe just is not cooperating. It’s actually getting worse.”
Kershaw made seven starts this season with a 4.50 ERA in 30 innings as he returned from the first major surgery of his career — a repair of the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder. The longtime franchise face has long structured his decision to keep playing as an annual one, and has a player option in his contract should he choose to return in 2025.
A potential incentive to return: Kershaw remains just 32 strikeouts away from 3,000, a career mark achieved by just 19 pitchers in major-league history.
(Photo of Clayton Kershaw: Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
