Clayton Kershaw breaks silence after undergoing surgery

Free-agent starter Clayton Kershaw spoke publicly for the first time since announcing he underwent shoulder surgery on Nov. 3. In a chat with David Vassegh of 570 AM’s Dodger Talk, the three-time Cy Young winner indicated he’s recovering nicely in the first five weeks after the operation.

“I think I’m doing really well. I don’t have a lot to compare it to. I’ve never had surgery before, but I really do feel great, all things considered,” Kershaw told Vassegh. “I’m doing a lot of movement stuff now, starting to strengthen it. … I’m excited to pitch again, and I really do think it’ll be this summer at some point. I feel good about that.”

A summer return is in line with what Kershaw projected in the immediate aftermath of the procedure. It’s nevertheless encouraging to hear he remains on that track after the earliest stages of his rehab process. While the 35-year-old has loosely floated the possibility of retiring in previous offseasons, he reiterated this evening that he’s not considering stepping away at this point.

Kershaw indicated he has the support of his family to continue playing. He added that he didn’t want to conclude his career on what would’ve been a very sour note. Kershaw, working with clearly diminished stuff as he pitched through the shoulder pain, was hammered for six runs without getting out of the first inning in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks. Arizona swept that series en route to the pennant.

The 10-time All-Star declined to speculate on where he expects to play in 2024 or when he might sign. It’s hard to envision the career-long Dodger in another uniform. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has repeatedly expressed that the organization would welcome Kershaw back for as long as he wants to continue pitching.

L.A. has Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler anchoring the rotation. Ryan Pepiot currently projects as the No. 3 starter, but his name has been floated in chatter about a potential trade for Rays ace Tyler Glasnow. Pitchers like Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove and Ryan Yarbrough are in the mix at the back end.

Regardless of Kershaw’s decision, the Dodgers figure to bring in multiple starters. If Kershaw were to re-sign, he’d join Dustin May as potential midseason injury returnees. May underwent a flexor tendon procedure in early July. Tony Gonsolin, who had Tommy John surgery in late August, appears likely to miss the entire season.