The Los Angeles Dodgers were hoping to have Clayton Kershaw return from the shoulder surgery he underwent last year and be part of their postseason rotation in 2024.
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Kershaw returned from the shoulder injury, and the Dodgers won the World Series. But the 36-year-old former MVP was not able to pitch in October as a result of multiple injuries that required offseason surgery.
Thursday, Kershaw announced on his Instagram account that the surgeries to his knee and foot were a success.
"Had surgery (Wednesday) on my foot and knee! Thank you Dr. ElAttrache and Dr. Jung for fixing them! Planning to crush some rehab and be good as can be come next year," Kershaw wrote. "Thanks for all the prayers and support! World Series champs!"
After the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games to win the World Series, Kershaw told reporters that, in addition to the bone spur in his left big toe, he suffered a ruptured plantar plate.
Kershaw declined the player option in his contract for 2025, but he said he plans to be back to pitch for the Dodgers. Expect the two parties to reach agreement on a new contract this offseason.
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Kershaw went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts for the Dodgers in 2024. He did not pitch his first game until July 25 after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, then saw his season end Aug. 30 as a result of a bone spur in his left big toe.
Kershaw was among the most humble Dodgers players on stage Friday during the team's championship celebration at Dodger Stadium.
"I didn't have anything to do with this championship," he said, "but it feels like the best feeling in the world.
"Dodger for life."
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Despite his struggles, Kershaw still attempted to rehab the injury throughout September, even throwing off a mound while wearing protective gear on his left foot. Not until the first week of October did Kershaw shut down his 2024 comeback attempt.
"It was getting pretty mentally exhausting to continue to pitch and it just kept hurting," Kershaw said on Oct. 6. "So I got another MRI and I made it worse. There's no point to keep going."
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