Los Angeles Dodgers contract ends, timing of return unclear
Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw, 35, has undergone shoulder surgery.
“The longtime Dodgers star and free agent has undergone surgery on his left shoulder,” MLBcom, the official website of Major League Baseball, reported on Thursday.
Kershaw, who had been speculated to retire, underwent surgery on his shoulder in an effort to extend his career. However, the timing of his return is unclear. “Hopefully I’ll be able to get back out there at some point next summer,” Kershaw said.
Kershaw signed a one-year, $20 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. He is a free agent after the 2023 season and will need to find a new team next year, with the timing of his return unclear.
This is the first time Kershaw has had surgery on his throwing arm. When he injured his left elbow in the 2021 season, he received a PRP injection.
Kershaw, a top-notch pitcher who has already booked his place in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, has struggled with injuries this year.
Kershaw first felt something wrong on June 28 against the Colorado Rockies, and while he didn’t think he needed to go on the disabled list (IL) at the time, a July doctor’s visit led to a recommendation to rest for a few weeks. After about a month off, Kershaw returned on Aug. 11 against Colorado, but he hadn’t fully shaken off the injury.
According to MLBcom, “Kershaw’s four-seam fastball velocity was often two to three miles per hour below his season average, and his curveball, his main weapon, didn’t have the same command. Because of the pain, Kershaw relied more on his changeup than before.”
Despite the injury, Kershaw went 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA this year. His first-half performance earned him his 10th career All-Star selection. In his big league career, he is 210-92 with a 2.48 ERA in 425 games.
However, Kershaw was unable to overcome the fall jinx this year. In Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), he gave up six runs on six hits (one home run) and one walk while striking out one batter. Kershaw was scheduled to start again in Game 4, but the Dodgers were eliminated in three games.
It’s unclear what uniform he’ll be wearing next year, or when he’ll be able to take the mound again.
As the outlet notes, “It’s clear that Kershaw won’t be on the Opening Day roster for the first time in more than a decade. His future beyond that is also very unclear.” 슬롯사이트
