The Dodgers lefty will miss the entire 2024 postseason

LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Dodgers head into the 2024 postseason and need pitching depth, they won't have their future Hall of Fame left-hander.

Manager Dave Roberts announced before Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series that Clayton Kershaw would not pitch again this season.

“Clayton did everything he could to move things forward and give himself a chance to compete in the postseason,” Roberts said. “But where he is right now, physically, the foot, the toe, he’s just not cooperating. It's actually getting worse. Yes, that’s it for Clayton for 2024.”

Kershaw hasn't pitched since Aug. 30, when he lasted just one inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks before leaving the game because of a bone spur in his left big toe. The 36-year-old veteran had tried to stay active so he could be available for the postseason, but in the end he won't be able to reach No. 1 in the National League.

“Really, it’s not getting any better, so I can’t pitch,” Kershaw told reporters. “I had to protect my arm to have a chance, and by doing that I probably made things worse.”

He said surgery was “definitely under discussion” but there were no concrete plans yet. He said he wouldn't think about his future until after the season was over.

“Right now my focus should be on beating the Padres. “I’m going to try to be a good cheerleader as best I can,” Kershaw said.

It's been an injury-filled season for the three-time Cy Young winner, who signed a one-year contract before the season with the team where he has spent his entire big league career. He underwent surgery in November to repair a capsular tear in his left shoulder and did not make his first appearance of the season until July 25. This season, he pitched 30 innings in seven starts with a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA. the highest of his 17-year career.

For the Dodgers, it's just the last team to have to take a break heading into the division series. Ace Tyler Glasnow hasn't pitched since August due to an elbow injury and is unlikely to pitch this postseason. Veteran backup Joe Kelly was also left from the NLDS roster due to a shoulder injury.

Jack Flaherty will pitch Game 2 on Sunday after Yoshinobu Yamamoto started in the opener, but the Dodgers have not announced any further pitching plans for the remainder of the series.

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