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Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Feels He Doesn’t Need ‘A Break’ Midseason

The LA lefty found himself on the injured list this week.
Matt Wagner|
Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Feels He Doesn’t Need ‘A Break’ Midseason
Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Feels He Doesn’t Need ‘A Break’ Midseason

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw's season was off to an excellent start.

He'd proven to once again be the Los Angeles Dodgers ace, had earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, and was on pace to do something he hadn't accomplished in quite a while: spend a full season off the injured list.

Unfortunately for Kershaw and the Dodgers, that goal came to a halt this week as he was placed on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation.

The issue presented itself in Colorado when the lefty exited his start against the Rockies after six innings and just 79 pitches. He'd exorcised his Coors Field demons up to that point, allowing only one hit before leaving one of his best performances of the season.

Kershaw -- unable to make his next scheduled start after getting a platelet-rich plasma injection to help the inflammation -- was frustrated when he talked to the media.

"I wish I could’ve skipped a start and made the next one but that’s not where we’re at," Kershaw said. "Sometimes roster decisions take precedent, and I understand that. ...

"You sign up to pitch a full season. There’s no reason to take a break just to take a break. I don’t think that does anything. It’s a little bit disappointing."

Fortunately for the 16-year veteran, the inflammation doesn't seem to be a significant issue and shouldn't be going forward, but that doesn't mean he wasn't frustrated with the timing of it all.

"I would’ve loved to have had a few more days to make a decision, to give it a little more time," he said. "(Monday) probably wasn’t going to be an option just because I had to take a few days off on my front end."

Unfortunately for the 35-year-old, he won't pitch in the All Star Game either because of the inflammation and injured list trip, but he should be back soon to begin the second half of what's been an excellent season for him.

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Matt Wagner
MATT WAGNER

Matt Wagner was born and raised in southern California, and he lived there before moving to Colorado and getting his B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2022. He relocated back to southern California in 2023 and is looking forward to covering the teams that mean so much to his home area. Some of his past work is in Bleacher Report, Dodgers Tailgate, and, most recently, Colorado Buffaloes Wire. Aside from writing, you can probably catch him petting the nearest dog or eating some good Mexican food.

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