Clayton Kershaw injury: Free-agent pitcher announces shoulder surgery, reveals summer timetable for return

Free-agent left-hander Clayton Kershaw introduced on his Instagram account on Friday that he underwent surgical operation to fix the gleno-humeral ligaments and pill on his throwing shoulder. Kershaw’s post famous that he’s “hopeful to return to play at some point next summer,” suggesting that he might not be to be had to his employer on the onset of the 2024 common season. 

Here’s Kershaw’s complete post:

The gleno-humeral ligaments, for the ones questioning, “protect the shoulder and prevent it from dislocating anteriorly —  this group of ligaments functions as the primary stabilizers of the joint,” according to the National Library of Medicine. 

Kershaw, 35, has spent his whole 16-year big-league occupation with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s made 10 All-Star Games and gained 3 Cy Young Awards and 5 ERA titles in that span. Kershaw began 24 occasions ultimate season, accumulating a 2.46 ERA (177 ERA+) and a three.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Kershaw’s yr however ended on a sour observe. In his best postseason look, a National League Division Series matchup in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks, he surrendered six runs on six hits and a stroll in only a 3rd of an inning. 

Prior to studying of Kershaw’s scientific standing, CBS Sports ranked him because the tenth very best loose agent in the marketplace. Here’s what we wrote on the time: 

Kershaw stays a extremely efficient starter regardless of shedding some oomph from his fastball overdue within the yr. By now, you need to know what you are getting from him workload-wise. He’s now not taking the ball each time in the course of the rotation, neither is he going to guide a group of workers in frames. He’s began 22 or 23 video games in each and every of the ultimate 3 years, and he hasn’t cleared 140 innings since 2019. You must fill within the gaps, however that is an excellent industry given the standard of his paintings. As for Kershaw’s vacation spot … we carry out this track and dance each wintry weather, best for him to return to the Dodgers on but any other one-year deal. We doubt this time ends another way.

Even if the Dodgers deliver again Kershaw, it is transparent that they’re going to have to stay out there for beginning pitching lend a hand that may be a part of their Opening Day plans.