Clayton Kershaw will not play for the Dodgers in the playoffs due to a big toe injury

Clayton Kershaw, sidelined since late August with a toe injury, will not play for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season.

“That’s it for Clayton for 2024,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday before Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

A 36-year-old left-handed hitter, Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star. He did not return to pitch until July 25 after offseason shoulder surgery. He was on the injured list on August 31 with a bone spur in his left big toe.

“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, is just not cooperating. It’s actually getting worse.”

Kershaw had been left off the Dodgers' NLDS roster earlier Saturday before Roberts confirmed his season was over.

He was 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts.

Because of his toe, Kershaw was unable to lean the way he wanted, and other areas of his body were able to overcompensate.

He said doctors assured him he would not need surgery.

“It's something that takes time, I guess, and that's the worst part because I'm not good at it,” Kershaw said last week. “My arm, I keep it moving as best I can. I really think I'll be ready to throw when my toe gets better. I need to get close to 100% so I can throw.”

He was desperate to redeem himself after last year's stunning postseason debacle. Kershaw was struck down by Arizona in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, allowing six hits and six runs in the first inning.

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His postseason ERA is 4.22 over 194 innings. His 2.48 regular-season ERA is the best of any MLB pitcher with at least 1,500 innings pitched since 1920.

Kershaw signed a one-year contract plus a player option through 2025 worth $5 million in February.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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