Dodgers Won’t Have Clayton Kershaw in First Round of Postseason, If Not Longer

Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw won’t be available to the Dodgers in the first round of the postseason — and maybe not until 2025.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Thursday at Dodger Stadium that Kershaw will not be a “viable” option to pitch in the next couple weeks because of a bone spur in his left big toe.

The Dodgers were not necessarily counting on Kershaw, who hasn’t pitched since Aug. 30 because of the nagging injury. But the left-hander had been throwing bullpens — sometimes wearing a walking boot — in hopes that his toe would cooperate with his desire to pitch in the postseason.

Kershaw, 36, is 2-2 with a 4.50 earned-run average in 30 innings across seven starts in 2024. He missed all of the season’s first half rehabilitating from offseason surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments in his left shoulder.

A three-time Cy Young Award winner and the 2014 National League MVP, Kershaw returned to the Dodgers on an incentive-laden $5 million contract in February. He holds a $10 million player option for 2025 that will likely be exercised regardless of whether or not he’s available in the postseason.

More to come on this story.

Photo Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

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