Dodgers News: Health a Top Factor in Clayton Kershaw's Future in Baseball
Clayton Kershaw starts at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night against the Giants. It will be his final regular season start at home this year, and second to last start overall before the playoffs begin.
Given the circumstances, the big question on the minds of fans and pundits alike is, will this be his final regular season start ever at Dodger Stadium?
“I don’t know. I really don’t,” Kershaw said this week. “There’s so many variables. I understand people asking. I totally get that. But I also feel uncomfortable. I don’t want the attention to be on me. If I had an answer, I would tell them. I don’t know yet. I really don’t.”
The 2023 season has been a grind for Kershaw, particularly the second half. A shoulder injury derailed what was a Cy Young caliber season late in June and over the last few weeks, the left-hander has struggled with his velocity and command on the mound. While Clayton has still found a way to limit damage and keep runs off the board, how his body feels after the season may be the top factor in his future with the Dodgers and in baseball.
“Look, health has a lot to do with it. There’s a lot of factors that have to do with it,” he said. “But if I’m playing next year, then that means I can compete the way I want to compete and I feel like I can go out there and really pitch. We’ll have to see.”
The Dodgers will need all the compete they can get out of Kershaw if there is any hope for a deep championship run through October. That seems to be just about all that is on the future Hall of Famer's mind for now.
“It’s just all about trying to win this year,” Kershaw said this week. “All the personal stuff is kind of out the door. You just want to be a part of this year, winning the World Series. It’s either gonna be disappointing or it’s gonna be great. Then we’ll go into the offseason.”
