Clayton Kershaw made his season debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, striking out six batters and allowing two runs and six hits in his return from shoulder surgery he had during the offseason.
In his first game back against the San Francisco Giants, Kershaw became the only pitcher to have played for the Dodgers for at least 17 seasons and ended his longest break from Major League Baseball.
Kershaw’s last big league game was in October’s NL Division Series opener against Arizona, where he was taken out after one out and gave up six runs. He had surgery on November 3 to repair ligaments in his shoulder capsule and began a minor league rehab stint in June.
“For me personally, to go back out and pitch here in Dodger Stadium, not that I ever did before but I’m not going to take that for granted again,” Kershaw said. “It was fun. Definitely some things to get better at, but it was a good day and I can build off it.”
The 36-year-old left-handed pitcher worked for four innings on Thursday, walked two batters, and threw 47 of his 72 pitches for strikes. He had 14 swings and misses, with eight coming on sliders, and averaged 90.6 mph with 24 fastballs. He threw 32 sliders, 10 curveballs, and six changeups.
“It was OK,” he said. “There’s some stuff I can get better at. I felt the breaking balls were good. The fastball command had a little to be desired. First time back out, I’ll take it.”
Kershaw finished his game with two pop outs around a walk and struck out Yastrzemski to end his outing.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner left the game with the Dodgers ahead of the Giants 3-2. Los Angeles won 6-4, but Kershaw did not get a decision because he did not pitch for five innings.
Before he took the mound, Kershaw received high-fives from his teammates and a hug from Kike Hernandez. As he walked to the mound, the song “We Are Young” was playing in the stadium.
Kershaw retired the first two batters, then allowed a double to Heliot Ramos and walked Matt Chapman. He struck out Patrick Bailey to finish the first inning without giving up a run. He gave up a single to Mike Yastrzemski in the second inning, but did not allow any runs.
In the third inning, Kershaw faced some difficulties, giving up four straight hits, including a triple by Tyler Fitzgerald that hit the left-field wall and was eventually retrieved by Teoscar Hernandez.
Heliot Ramos drove in another run with an infield single before Kershaw struck out Patrick Bailey, David Villar, and Thairo Estrada to end the inning. He used a 73-mph curveball and an 88-mph slider to get the last two outs of that inning.
Kershaw finished his game with two pop outs, a walk, and a strikeout of Yastrzemski to end his appearance.
“Having him back out there was great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Hearing his song come out, watching him sweat, compete, punch guys out, it was great.
I thought we pushed him enough to get ready for his next one where we can continue to build and get a nice foundation. It’s been such a long road for him back and I’m just happy for him and his family and the fans to get to see one of the greats.”
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kershaw celebrated as the Dodgers scored two runs and shared a high-five with Shohei Ohtani after Ohtani’s double.
For his return, Kershaw wore cleats designed by his four children, who surprised him with the gift. A video posted on Kershaw’s Instagram showed him getting emotional and wiping away tears. Kershaw’s wife, Ellen, and their children watched from the stands, with Ellen also in tears.
When asked how he would describe the outing to his four children, Kershaw said, “I’ll tell them it was hot. Other than that, to be doing what you’re meant to be doing is a good thing.”
In February, Kershaw agreed to a contract worth $10 million, with a chance to earn up to $12.5 million this year and $25 million in 2025. Along with his $5 million salary for this year, he could earn an additional $1 million for making six starts or relief appearances of three or more innings, $1.5 million each for seven, eight, and nine starts, and $2 million for ten starts.
