With the postseason getting underway next week, the Dodgers figure to be without Clayton Kershaw at least into the middle of October. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic) that the future Hall of Famer is “not going to be viable for a couple weeks.” Kershaw has been out since late August on account of bone spurs in his left big toe.
Roberts said earlier in the week that the three-time Cy Young winner was in a “holding pattern” on his rehab. That didn’t bode well for his availability for the start of the playoffs. That’s a lock now. The Dodgers would clinch the NL West and a first-round bye with a win over the Padres tonight. Assuming they wrap up the division — either tonight or during their weekend series in Colorado — they’ll punch their ticket to a Division Series beginning next weekend.
Kershaw clearly isn’t going to be ready by that point. The NLCS begins on October 13. Roberts’ timeline leaves open the possibility of Kershaw returning for that series if the Dodgers get there, but it’s far from guaranteed. The Dodgers have already ruled out Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone through the entire postseason. Kershaw’s return seems questionable at best.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty will take the ball in some order for the first two games of the postseason. Rookie righty Landon Knack probably lines up as L.A.’s Game 3 starter. The Dodgers haven’t managed to get Walker Buehler on track, while Bobby Miller pitched so poorly that he was optioned back to Triple-A a few weeks ago.
Kershaw’s regular season concludes with a 4.50 ERA over 30 innings. He didn’t make his season debut until shortly after the All-Star Break as he completed rehab from last November’s shoulder surgery. He made seven starts. That’s significant from a contractual perspective. Kershaw’s two-year, $10MM deal contained a ton of incentives. He tacked on $2.5MM to this year’s $5MM base salary. Getting to seven starts also added $5MM in escalators to next year’s player option. That option was initially valued at $5MM but will land at $10MM; Kershaw could boost that as high as $25MM if he makes 25 starts next year.
The Dodgers provided a few additional injury updates this evening. Miguel Rojas, who left last night’s game, said that he’s been diagnosed with a partially torn left adductor (groin) muscle (X link via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times). The veteran infielder said he’ll need to undergo surgery in the offseason but believes he’ll be able to play through it during the postseason. Rojas has emerged as Roberts’ starting shortstop thanks to his defensive reliability and a solid .283/.337/.410 showing at the plate. He won’t play tonight. Tommy Edman moves in to play shortstop while Andy Pages steps into the lineup in center field.
The bullpen is also taking a hit. Roberts said that righty Brusdar Graterol is going back on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation (via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times). Graterol has battled shoulder problems dating back to Spring Training. He also lost a few weeks late in the year to a hamstring strain. The hard-throwing sinkerballer has been limited to seven appearances, during which he has thrown 7 2/3 frames of two-run ball. Graterol was one of the best relievers in MLB last year, turning in a 1.20 ERA across 67 1/3 frames.
I’m not going to lose sleep over it. Not the way he pitches in the postseason.
It won’t matter anyway. They’ll get bounced out of the first round. Again.
mark68
is 68 your IQ?
Brusdar Graterol is in the same predicament.
Hopefully Kershaw’s back next season to
1) Give the Dodgers some innings
2) Get that 3000th career K
Only 32 more k’s
Right now Smoltz is shaking his head and saying to himself that Greinke and Kershaw just didn’t have the mental fortitude to get 3000 Ks.
more likely Smoltz would be shaking his head at comments like yours
Washed
Hes going to get healthy enough to lose the divisional and its going to be CINEMA!
You have to find something to root for this time of year I guess, since your favorite team only has a few games left.
Kershaw is done. Can’t stay healthy
Too bad about Graterol. He looked great in the brief time since he returned recently. Probably means that absent further injury Kelly makes the postseason roster (ugh) and Honeywell too if Gonsolin and Banda don’t show recovery.
So next season. If there is one for him.
Imagine if kershaw next year does what Chris sale did this year and does 30 starts out of nowhere
not likely sad but I love the optimistic, positive vibe. how refreshing.
Imagine he actually show up this season?
Game time! Time to clinch. Go blue!
I don’t think I want to see him come back and throw 89mph in the postseason anyway. Get healthy, come back for one more run next year, and hopefully go out on a high.
Methinks we’ve seen the last of Kersh.
$7.5 million for pitching 30 innings this season. Absurd. This is a game, not neurosurgery.
Wait until you see what Kris Bryant got paid for 155 PA.
The wrong Rockie is retiring. It should be Bryant, not Blackmon.
@blake and toptim
What until you see what Guggenheim made this year.
And imagine how much doctors would earn if there were only about 1000 of them in the US.
Baseball players make a lot of money because MLB makes a lot of money.
It has nothing to do with the merits of the job.
If you want to pay doctors and teachers more, crank up the taxes on the people making millions per year.
A “player” is someone who actually plays.
@blake
“A “player” is someone who actually plays”
Wrong.
But if you want to embarrass yourself by not only thinking, but saying, that Kershaw and Bryant aren’t baseball players, knock yourself out.
@Dasha
I don’t have a problem with any MLB player salaries.
Dasha: Ok…Kershaw and Bryant are currently inactive players who are extraordinarily well- paid despite often not playing. Whatever.
@Blake
So, professional baseball players? Agreed.
a game 3.8 million showed up to watch in person, never mind the broadcast audience. 7.5 mill bux. pfft.
As of July 2024, Dodgers’s annual revenue reached $750M.
correction:
Dodgers attendance for the 2024 regular season checked in at 3,941,251
Look for Gonsolin to be used as an opener going 2, 3 or 4 innings. Meow!
No, Bueller isn’t Bueller yet. However every start has been an improvement and is either your #3 starter (or bulk innings)