Dodger's Rotation Calls for Kershaw's Recruitment Urgently
Making a Comeback: Will 2025 Be Clayton Kershaw's Last Stand?
In the heart of Sunny California, the Dodger Stadium is prepped for a potential swan song for the legendary left-hander, Clayton Kershaw. Loyal fans and skeptics alike, eagerly await the on-field return of this surgically-repaired veteran, who could potentially spell the difference between another title and a team struggling to stay afloat.
Boasting rehabilitated shoulders and repaired toes, Kershaw is slated to make his Season One debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers this Sunday against their fiercest local rivals, the Angels. His four-inning stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City served as his final rehab assignment, pitching four strikeouts and consuming 58 pitches.
Acclaimed Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, shares confidence in Kershaw's progress, stating, "He's on track," during an interview at Chase Field, where the Dodgers shone over the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-1, clinching a split in their four-game series.
However, the specter of Kershaw's declining years looms large. Plagued by injuries and age, Kershaw's premium velocity continues to decrease, with his fastball often clocking in around 88-89 miles per hour. Despite these athletic challenges, the Dodgers yearn for Kershaw's stable presence - even in his altered, veteran form.
Although the Dodgers have doled out a substantial $199 million of their record $403.7 million payroll for luxury tax purposes on their pitching stable, they are still left short of seasoned starters. Key players, such as Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, find themselves on the injured list with shoulder issues. With a sluggish arm, Kershaw might be the team's last hope for a reliable starting pitcher.
First called up to the big leagues in 2023, Kershaw boasts a formidable career with 2,968 strikeouts, placing him within striking distance of joining the exclusive 3,000 strikeout club. Election to this elite dining club would elevate Kershaw to the 20th position in Major League Baseball history, joining an all-star list that includes baseball greats, such as Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
Enfolding the Dodgers' rotation, Kershaw will slot in behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin. After limited pitching time, caused by previous setbacks, both May and Gonsolin pitched admirably in Arizona this weekend, bolstering hope for the Dodgers' post-injury lineup.
Anticipation swells for the revamped Kershaw, yet there's a sense of cautious optimism. Dustin May, for one, laments, "We're definitely excited to have him back pitching." But expectations remain tempered, with May further stating, "He has elite stuff, he always has. He can pitch as long as he wants."
The Dodgers' recent woes in finding quality starting pitching have stretched back to the previous season, leaving them in a precarious position. Last October, the Dodgers' overall 4.50 ERA ranked them ninth among the twelve playoff teams, with their starters averaging under four innings per start and a lackluster 5.25 ERA.
Contributing to the team's postseason despair, the Dodgers lost vital starting pitchers, such as Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler, to free agency. Furthermore, the addition of Barry Snell, hoping to infuse stamina into the pitching staff, is now in question, as Snell has suffered a sore left shoulder, missing the entire Season One thus far.
Perhaps, in the twilight of his career, Kershaw will once again rise to the occasion, reinvigorating the Dodgers' rotation and answering the call of his passionate fanbase.
Sources:1. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story//id/35886495/clayton-kershaw-return-prime-low-point-mlb-rotations2. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/sports/baseball/clayton-kershaw-injury.html3. https://www.mlb.com/news/clayton-kershaw-throwing-bullpen-session-day-after-last-minor-league-rehab-start/c-3588649924. https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewcain/2025/05/02/mlbs-most-pressing-question-heading-into-the-season-can-clayton-kershaw-bounce-back/?sh=e687b55c36c75. https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-05-02/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-ready-to-finally-make-his-season-debut-against-angels6. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/clayton-kershaw-throws-rehab-game-thinks-hes-on-track-to-return-to-dodgers/7. https://www.mlb.com/news/clayton-kershaw-throws-his-second-rehab-start-with-oklahoma-city/c-3587340588. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player//id/6548/clayton-kershaw
In the upcoming match against the Angels, the rejuvenated Kershaw, after his successful Triple-A rehab assignment, might bring his MLB-caliber baseball skills to the Los Angeles Dodgers, potentially strengthening their aging and injury-stricken pitching staff. As he edges closer to joining the 3,000 strikeout club, Kershaw's continued presence on the mound could bolster the Dodgers' chances to preserve their winning tradition in the 2025 MLB season.
