Clayton Kershaw was among the pitchers named to the National League roster for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle. Along with Will Smith earning his first career selection, the Dodgers have five All-Stars.
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez were previously voted by fans among All-Star Game starters.
In his 16th season, Kershaw earned NL Pitcher of the Month honors for April. There were some bumpy outings during May — presumed to have been related to Kershaw losing his mother — but the longtime ace responded with a stellar month of June.
Unfortunately for Kershaw, that’s also come with left shoulder inflammation that was treated with a cortisone injection. He played catch at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, but is yet to throw a bullpen session since the injury and appears unlikely to start in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Even if Kershaw manages to avoid being placed on the 15-day injured list, he could very well withdraw from participating in the All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park. Betts did as much for the 2021 All-Star Game because of a nagging right hip injury.
This season, the 35-year-old is 10-4 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 16 starts. Kershaw leads all NL pitchers in wins.
Clayton Kershaw All-Star Game history
Kershaw has 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 Midsummer Classic 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. Fittingly, it came at Dodger Stadium.
“I can’t say enough good things about Dodger fans, people in L.A. in general, just how much these last few days, how much they wanted me to do this. It meant a lot to me, too. So that was really cool,” Kershaw said after pitching a scoreless inning.
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