Why Clayton Kershaw is not pitching for the Dodgers in the World Series

The Dodgers and Yankees face a big market World Series, but one of the biggest names (Clayton Kershaw) is unavailable to pitch.

Kershaw has played for the Dodgers since 2008, won the Cy Young Award three times and even earned the National League Most Valuable Player in 2014.

One of the most recognizable names in baseball, he has established Los Angeles as one of the most dominant powerhouses over the past decade. He won the World Series with the organization during the shortened 2020 season, but unfortunately, he won’t have a chance to help his team this time around.

2020 MLB SEASON: Clayton Kershaw winning a World Series was so easy to root for

While things didn’t always go well for Kershaw in the playoffs, his veteran presence will be missed in Los Angeles.

Kershaw, who was an All-Star in each of the previous two seasons before this one, played in just seven games in 2024. After a shockingly poor showing in the playoffs last year, he had left offseason shoulder surgery.

He has not pitched since August, when he was placed on the injured list with a bone spur in his left big toe. Kershaw was officially excluded for the entire postseason.

That’s what the 36-year-old said he plans to return next season to make use of his operation. However, he can become a free agent and may not return to the Dodgers because they have such a crowded starting rotation.

A perennial star, he has a record 2,968 strikeouts during his MLB career. He could become one of just 20 pitchers in league history to reach the 3,000 strikeout milestone next season.

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