Injured Kershaw ruled out for entire 2024 postseason

The Dodgers begin their quest for a World Series title on Saturday night as they host the Padres in NLDS Game 1. They will not have Clayton Kershaw available to help them on their journey.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced pregame that Kershaw’s season is over. The left-hander hasn’t appeared in a game since Aug. 30 because of a bone spur in his left big toe. The club was holding out hope that Kershaw would be able to return at some point during the postseason, but Roberts closed that door prior to Game 1.

"Clayton has done everything he can to keep this thing moving forward and giving himself a chance to participate in the postseason," Roberts said. "But where he's at right now, physically, the foot, the toe just is not cooperating. It's actually getting worse. This is it for Clayton for 2024."

Kershaw threw just 30 innings this season, the fewest of his decorated 17-year career. He didn’t make his 2024 debut until July 25 as he spent the first half of the year recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Kershaw posted a 4.50 ERA over seven starts before the toe injury put him back on the shelf.

The 36-year-old has recorded a 2.50 ERA and won 212 games in his career. Without him out of the picture, the Dodgers have lined up Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start Game 1 while Jack Flaherty will start Game 2. Walker Buehler and Landon Knack are the other starting pitchers on Los Angeles’ NLDS roster.

"[Kershaw's] been one of the best pitchers in the game, a no-doubt Hall of Famer, a Dodger his whole career, a teammate of mine for the last five, six years," catcher Will Smith said. "It stinks he's not going to be able to pitch for us. I know it stinks for us the team, but also him personally. He'll be here every day, I know, cheering us on, being in the clubhouse, helping us out whatever way he can."