Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Won’t Commit to ’24 Season After Early Playoff Exit

The status of L.A.’s longtime ace remains unknown following a stunning upset loss to the upstart Diamondbacks.

On the heels of the Dodgers' stunning postseason exit, star pitcher Clayton Kershaw kept the status of his MLB future under wraps.

The upstart, six-seeded Diamondbacks (84-78) vanquished the heavily-favored, two-seeded Dodgers (100-62) on Wednesday with a 4-2 win at home to secure a historic sweep. Among the many glaring questions surrounding L.A. post-game was whether or not the aging and oft-injured Kershaw, 35, would return in 2024.

With the sting of the Dodgers’ loss still fresh, Kershaw, who logged a horrid Game 1 start against Arizona, remained non-committal when asked multiple times about playing again.

“I don’t know how to answer that right now,” Kershaw told reporters, per The Athletic.

In addition to being vague about the ’24 season, the Dodgers’ longtime ace remained tight-lipped about issues stemming from his latest, lingering ailment: a left shoulder injury that’s bothered him since June.

“I’m not sure,” he said Wednesday, when asked if he needed to address his shoulder in the offseason.

The Athletic later reported that Kershaw is “considering undergoing an additional examination on his left shoulder” with the season now over. To this point, the 16-year veteran’s injury has only been referred to as “inflammation,” with neither Kershaw nor the team providing more information.

While it remains to be seen what he ultimately decides, Kershaw, despite his recent struggles both with his health and play, could still carve out a key role for L.A. next season if he returns close to full strength. 

In 24 regular season starts, Kershaw posted a 13–5 record with a 2.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts (his most since 2019) en route to earning his 10th All-Star nod. Against the Diamondbacks, however, the former NL MVP failed to get it going, allowing six runs and logging just one out in the first inning before getting pulled.

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