The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to look strong as the middle of the 2024 MLB season approaches. Los Angeles has won six of their last 10 games and ranks first in the NL West standings. The Dodgers are in the process of getting star pitcher Clayton Kershaw back from injury, and he got brutally honest about the grind of his return.
Kershaw is eager to get back with the Dodgers, but he admits that the rehab process is challenging.
“I’m definitely not excited — I don’t think anybody gets excited about rehab starts,” Kershaw said after throwing to hitters in a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game Thursday in Dodger Stadium, per the LA Times. “But it’s a necessary evil. It’s something you gotta do.”
Kershaw is preparing to take the mound for the Class-A Quakes against Inland Empire at LoanMart Field. He believes his ramp-up will allow him to get prepared for the grander stage with Los Angeles.
“This is good. You get your work in. But you gotta get in a game setting, get in that atmosphere. There may be a long inning, maybe stuff that you can’t really simulate here. So this is just the next step in the process,” Kershaw added.
Clayton Kershaw underwent surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his throwing shoulder in November of 2023. The three-time CY Young Award winner struggled to stay afloat due to his injury but he still amassed respectable production. The then 35-year-old boasted a W-L of 13-5 in 2023, good enough to rank him 13th in the league. In addition, Kershaw averaged a 2.46 ERA, 137 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.06.
The veteran pitcher looks to pick up where he left off at some point in 2024.
Dodgers look forward to getting Clayton Kershaw back from injury
Los Angeles hoped Kershaw would be back by late July or August. Yet, his progression could see him return around the All-Star break. Dave Roberts spoke on Kershaw's status before the Dodgers' series finale against the Texas Rangers on Thursday.
“He’s much further along than we expected,” Roberts stated. “He’s unique in his body and mentality and mindset, the work ethic and all that. And obviously, Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache did a great job. He’s well beyond where I personally expected him to be.”
Kershaw will bolster LA's already-stout pitching lineup once he returns. The Dodgers are led by Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Through 14 games, Glasnow holds a 6-5 record and has impressively thrown a league-leading 116 strikeouts. In addition, he has amassed a 3.24 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Meanwhile, Yamamoto is 6-2, has thrown 83 strikeouts, and holds a 3.00 ERA with 1.07 WHIP in 13 appearances.
The two stars are doing an admirable job holding things down while Los Angeles nurses its injury woes. Of focus, the team's offense makes their job easier. The one-two punch of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts is a nightmare for opposing defenses. With their production and the Dodgers' servable defense, they should be able to continue their assault on the NL West.
It will be interesting to see how things look by the time Kershaw makes his return to the squad.
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