Clayton Kershaw Set to Take Massive Step Toward Return to Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw is set to go on a rehab assignment and will pitch in the minors Wednesday, an indication the veteran is one step closer to making his long-awaited return.

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Kershaw is not eligible to be activated from the injured list until May 17, but his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City is good news for a starting rotation that is already missing ace Blake Snell.

The 37-year-old lasted pitched for the Dodgers Aug. 30, when he left a start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning after giving up a home run to Corbin Carroll. In 2024, Kershaw did not make his debut until July.

This season, it appears Kershaw should return earlier in the year despite undergoing two different offseason surgeries. While the veteran southpaw has dealt with a slew of injuries in recent years, he does not want hang up his jersey because of an ailment.

“I don’t want [injuries] to be the reason that I stopped playing,” he said. “I don’t want to be, like, ‘I just can’t do it, [I’m] hurt.’ Hopefully, I can walk out on my own terms, whenever that is.”

Despite his absence throughout the postseason, Kershaw was just shy of being in the top 10 highest-selling jerseys in MLB. The future Hall of Famer took the No. 11 spot, which speaks volumes about Kershaw’s impact on the sport.

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Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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