What Happened To Clayton Kershaw? Dodgers Pitcher Heads To IL With Injury

Clayton Kershaw’s placement on the 15-day injured list further depletes the Dodgers’ already strained starting rotation. The veteran left-hander had to exit the game early on Friday night after pitching just over an inning due to a sore left big toe.

The pain was caused by a bone spur, an issue Kershaw has been managing for “maybe a couple of years,” according to manager Dave Roberts.

While Clayton Kershaw usually manages the discomfort with preventative treatments, the soreness this time around was significant enough to impact his ability to push off the rubber effectively.

His absence will certainly be felt as the Dodgers detail the next few weeks.

“There’s so much swelling, he can barely move around with it,” Roberts said.

Clayton Kershaw will need treatment to manage the inflammation from the bone spur before the Dodgers can determine a clear timeline for his return.

However, manager Dave Roberts remains optimistic that Kershaw, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, could be ready to rejoin the rotation after the minimum 15-day stay on the injured list.

If he returns on schedule, Kershaw could potentially make up to three starts before the postseason, which would be crucial for both him and the Dodgers as they prepare for the playoffs.

“Each day we’ll know more. Obviously we’ve got 15 days to kind of see where we’re at,” Roberts said.

“The calendar is working against us, certainly as a starter, but I don’t think 15 days will cut into the buildup [to get back to] where he’s been.”

Clayton Kershaw, who returned to the mound on July 25 following rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, has made seven starts this season. Over these appearances, he has recorded a 4.50 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 30 innings.

Despite dealing with ongoing issues like the bone spur in his toe, Kershaw’s performance has been steady as he continues to build up his strength and form following his shoulder surgery.

His potential return after a short stint on the injured list will be vital for the Dodgers, particularly as they look to solidify their rotation ahead of the postseason.

“I think in Clayton’s head, he just wants to get this to subside and get back as soon as he can,” Roberts said. “We just won’t know until we can get the swelling down.”

Roberts isn’t ready to consider whether this injury could lead to Kershaw being left off the postseason roster.

“That’s not where any of our heads are at right now,” Roberts said. “Our expectation is that he will [be ready in time for the postseason].”

The Dodgers’ rotation has been significantly impacted by a series of injuries to key pitchers. In addition to Clayton Kershaw being placed on the 15-day injured list, the rotation is missing Tyler Glasnow (right elbow tendinitis) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right triceps tightness).

Meanwhile, Tony Gonsolin and River Ryan are recovering from Tommy John surgery, with Gonsolin undergoing the procedure in 2023 and Ryan in 2024. Dustin May is also sidelined until 2025 following elbow and esophagus surgeries.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the closest to returning. He is set to make his second rehab start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, but his outing is expected to be limited to three innings.

He will likely need at least one more rehab start after that before he is ready to rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation.

Tyler Glasnow is being eased back into action, and manager Dave Roberts mentioned that the best-case scenario for his return is similar to Clayton Kershaw’s, with a potential mid-September comeback.

This would allow Glasnow to make up to three starts to prepare for the postseason.

With Kershaw and Glasnow sidelined, the Dodgers’ current rotation consists of Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, and Gavin Stone, who started on Saturday. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski will be called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start on Sunday.

Wrobleski, the Dodgers’ No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has already made five starts for the team this season, posting a 4.68 ERA over 25 innings.

The Dodgers will rely on him and the rest of the rotation to navigate this challenging stretch as they await the return of key pitchers.

Clayton Kershaw’s early exit on Friday strained the Dodgers’ bullpen, as seven relievers were needed to cover eight innings in their 10-9 victory.

To bolster their bullpen depth, the Dodgers recalled right-hander Ben Casparius on Saturday.

Casparius, who was first called up on August 18 but did not make his MLB debut before being optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 21, is the Dodgers’ No. 23 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

The 25-year-old has posted a 3.31 ERA in 19 appearances (18 starts) for Oklahoma City this season, making him a valuable option capable of providing multiple innings out of the bullpen.

His versatility will be crucial for the Dodgers as they navigate their current pitching challenges.