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Dodgers ‘Hopeful’ Clayton Kershaw Returns Before End Of Regular Season

Matt Borelli
3 Min Read
Aug 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) on the mound in the first inning during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost another key starting pitcher last week as Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a bone spur in his left big toe.

The left-hander’s injury forced him to be removed in the second inning of his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night after giving up a home run to Corbin Carroll to start the frame.

That came after Kershaw labored through the first inning, which he later explained was partly due to not being able to push off the mound when pitching.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team is waiting for the swelling in Kershaw’s toe to go down before giving a potential timeline on his return, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:

Roberts said the team wouldn’t have a better idea of Kershaw’s potential timeline to return until the swelling in his toe dissipates, but he’s hopeful Kershaw could return before the end of the season.

Roberts also revealed that Kershaw has sporadically dealt with the bone spur in his left big toe for multiple seasons.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was making just his seventh start of the year after spending much of the season completing a lengthy rehab process for shoulder surgery.

Kershaw is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 30 innings pitched this season. As it currently stands, it would be the first time since his rookie season in 2008 that he finishes with an ERA above 4.00.

Clayton Kershaw joins injured Dodgers starters

Also on the injured list but working their way back to the Dodgers rotation are Yoshinbou Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. Yamamoto is set to make what could be his final rehab appearance before joining the Dodgers once again.

For Glasnow, things are more up in the air, and time is running out for him to make his return in the regular season. However, Glasnow expressed confidence that he’ll pitch again before the season is over.

Without them, the Dodgers have relied on a rotation that consists of Jack Flaherty, Gavin Stone, Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller, while JustiN Wrobleski was also given a start.

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Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.