Clayton Kershaw Has Successful Second Rehab Outing
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) looked good again in his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa, allowing one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out four in three innings of work. Kershaw tossed three scoreless innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City in his first rehab start and now has six strikeouts and one walk in his six innings of work on the farm as he recoveries from knee and toe surgeries in the offseason. Because the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer is on the 60-day injured list, he won't be able to make his season debut until May 17, so fantasy managers holding him in deeper leagues need to remain patient. The Dodgers aren't going to rush Kershaw back in what will likely be his final season. The three-time Cy Young winner has shown flashes of brilliance in recent seasons, but injuries have been the primary story near the end of his career.
Clayton Kershaw Tosses Three Scoreless Innings In First Rehab Start
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) had a positive first minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, throwing three scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking none and striking out two. The 37-year-old former MVP and three-time Cy Young winner threw 22 of his 30 pitches for strikes but only topped out at 88.8 mph with his four-seam fastball. Kershaw has plenty of time to build his velocity back up, though, as he's not eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until May 17. The Dodgers are going to take their time with the future Hall of Famer, which means he might not even be allowed to rejoin their big-league starting rotation by May 17. While Kershaw can still have solid outings, he has become much more of a fantasy dice roll and is likely to have his innings heavily managed when he eventually returns.
Clayton Kershaw To Begin Rehab Assignment On Wednesday
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (toe) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Wednesday, according to manager Dave Roberts. The veteran southpaw isn't eligible to be activated from the injured list until the middle of May. That being said, Kershaw is likely going to make a handful of starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City. When healthy, Kershaw is a stud, but actually keeping him on the mound has been a problem lately. He figures to be a regular in the starting rotation once he's cleared to play. That being said, Kershaw could be a good stash for fantasy managers who have an open IL spot at the moment.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) said he will face hitters on Saturday for the first time since having surgery on his left knee and left big toe, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. Kershaw remains on the same timeline and said he wants to be pitching in games (rehab or otherwise) around the end of May. In what will likely be his final big-league season of a Hall of Fame career, Kershaw is just hoping to be available for the Dodgers to close out the season, so he won't rush his rehab at all after dealing with various injuries the last several seasons. The three-time Cy Young winner and 10-time All-Star was able to make only seven starts in 2024 and posted a career-worst 4.50 ERA (3.53 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and nine walks in his 30 innings. Kershaw's workload will be managed upon his return, whenever that is, and he'll be a major dice roll in fantasy.
Clayton Kershaw Transferred To 60-Day Injured List Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (toe) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, per the Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. The 37-year-old veteran was placed on the 15-day IL Monday as he recovers from toe surgery, which was expected to need a lengthier timeline. Kershaw's skills when on the mound are still relevant for fantasy, but the back of his career has been plagued with injuries, and he managed just 30 innings pitched in 2024. The Dodgers have one of baseball's deepest rosters, so they do not need to rush Kershaw back. At this point in his career, the former fantasy ace can likely be left in the player pool of shallower drafts and could be a potential IL stash in very deep leagues.
Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Kopech Placed On 15-Day Injured List
Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw (toe), Tony Gonsolin (back), and Michael Kopech (shoulder) were all placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday night. These were part of a flourish of roster moves the Dodgers made prior to their opening game in Tokyo, Japan. None of these moves came as a surprise, as these injuries have been known for a while. Kershaw is expected to require an extended absence as he recovers from toe surgery, but Gonsolin and Kopech figure to be in the mix much sooner. Kopech is an arm the Dodgers will definitely be eager to get back after he posted a 1.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 24 innings after being dealt to them last season from the Chicago White Sox.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (foot, knee) said he's progressing well in his recovery from surgeries on his foot and knee and has thrown off a mound "a couple times." "It's not 100 percent yet but it's getting there. Feels good," Kershaw said. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had both of his surgeries in November of last year. As a result, he's unlikely to pitch in any Cactus League games in spring training and is expected to open the 2025 season on the 60-day injured list, which means he won't be able to make his season debut until late May. In what is expected to be the final season of Kershaw's storied career, he obviously won't have much fantasy appeal because of the fact that he'll miss around the first two months of the season. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP didn't make his debut last year until late July and held a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in only seven starts.
Clayton Kershaw Expects To Open Season On 60-Day Injured List
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) said he expects to open the 2025 regular season on the 60-day injured list, but his timetable will likely line up for him to be ready to roll once the 60 days are up. Kershaw recently re-signed with the Blue on a one-year, $7.5 million deal that will likely be his final season before retirement. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had surgeries on both his knee and toe in the offseason and remains in recovery with spring training kicking off this week. He's been throwing on flat ground, but it remains to be seen when he'll throw off a mound, and the Dodgers have no reason to rush him along. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP had a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 24 K's and nine walks in his seven starts in 2024 and is no longer a must-roster player in fantasy leagues due to the injuries that have mounted in recent years.
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to an undisclosed new contract, a source told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal are still pending, and Kershaw still needs to take a physical. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer declined his option for the 2025 season, but the expectation all along was that he'd return to L.A. for one more season, and now it's official. The 10-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP only made seven starts for the Blue in 2024, though, due to knee and toe injuries that both required surgery. Because injuries have piled up for him near the end of his illustrious career, he's a total dart throw in fantasy, and he most likely won't be ready to go for Opening Day in late March. Kershaw didn't make his 2024 debut until late July after undergoing offseason surgery.
Clayton Kershaw Starts Throwing Progression, Remains In Contact With The Dodgers
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, free-agent starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (toe) has begun a throwing progression and remains in contact with the Los Angeles Dodgers to "finalize a reunion." Kershaw was only able to log 30 innings last season due to shoulder and toe injuries. Across this small stint, the southpaw posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He struck out 24 batters and held a strong 6.8 percent walk rate. He limited hard contact with an excellent 4.1 percent barrel rate. Throughout the offseason, sources have reported that if Kershaw were to return to the mound in 2025 to continue his Hall of Fame career, he would only pitch in Los Angeles. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the three-time Cy Young award winner's status but should expect him to sign a contract with the Dodgers when cleared to return. He would likely only have value in deeper fantasy formats, as his strikeout upside dropped significantly over the past three seasons.
Clayton Kershaw
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Dodgers
