Rehabbing Clayton Kershaw ‘More Approachable’

Clayton Kershaw began the 2024 season, his 17th as a part of the Los Angeles Dodgers, on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

Kershaw has been continuing his rehab process away from the Dodgers at his home in Texas, but he has been joining the team in Los Angeles during homestands.

While not on the active roster, Kershaw can still be seen in the dugouts at Dodger Stadium chatting it up with his teammates while taking in the game. The change in demeanor is something that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has taken note of during games.

“A much easier hang,” Roberts said. “When Clayton’s not pitching, he’s much more approachable. And he’s really a smart baseball guy, and he’s curious. But he’s just obviously more relaxed, because nothing is on the line, as far as him participating.

“But in his work, he’s still focused in the weight room, catch play. And then when he gets in the season, I mean, certainly the extreme is his start day.”

This more relaxed version of Kershaw has been a great resource for new and old faces alike in the Dodgers’ rotation.

“But it’s been good to have him around to get to know Yoshinobu, to get to know Tyler, to continue to pour into to Bobby, and spend time with Walker. So it’s been great having Clayton around.”

Kershaw was also noticeably absent from a majority of Dodgers Spring Training in 2024, joining the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch for a couple of brief stints. A prominent figure at Dodgers’ Spring Training for almost 20 years, it was certainly an adjustment for Roberts and the organization.

“It is, and it was. His locker has been there for almost two decades in Spring Training, so not to see him there sporadically was different,” Roberts said. “But I’m just happy he’s around now and he’ll be around for some homestands until he starts cranking it up more. But it’s different, but I still think that he feels like he’s involved. But he wants to get back to pitching, I know that.”

Kershaw is still in the early stages of his rehabilitation and is not expected anytime soon. As of Friday, Kershaw is recovering well and has made good strides in his throwing program, with plans to extend that distance unknown until he completes his first bullpen.

Clayton Kershaw injury update

Kershaw has advanced to throwing bullpen sessions as he continues to build his arm back up and rehab. He is still expected to make a return some time in late July or August.