Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Undergoes Surgery on Throwing Shoulder

The starting pitcher is expected to return sometime midseason in 2024.

Clayton Kershaw announced on Instagram that he underwent left shoulder surgery to repair gleno-humeral ligaments, and his expected return date will be “some point next summer.”

Kershaw is coming off a season where he pitched to a 2.46 ERA in 26 games for the Dodgers, but he battled the shoulder injury throughout the year. He was able to start Game 1 of the Dodgers NLDS series vs. the Diamondbacks, but struggled mightily, allowing six runs while getting just one out in the game.

Following the game, Kershaw was non-committal on playing again in 2024. However, Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said the team “absolutely” wants him back if he’s planning on returning.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw underwent shoulder surgery following the 2023 season :: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Network

The 35-year-old has battled injuries during the second half of his career, but has still started at least 20 games in each full season in which he’s played.

After playing in his 16th season with the Dodgers in 2023, Kershaw enters the offseason as a free agent, but based on his social media post he appears to plan on keep playing instead of retiring. The lefty signed two straight one-year contracts with Los Angeles in back-to-back offseasons, deals that totaled $37 million between them.