Kershaw reveals major surgery

Clayton Kershaw’s future is more uncertain than ever.

Kershaw announced Friday that he underwent surgery on his left throwing shoulder and is hoping for a potential 2024 return.

“This morning I underwent a surgical procedure to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule of my left shoulder,” Kershaw wrote in an Instagram post. “I am thankful for the expertise of Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache who performed the surgery. I am hopeful to return to play at some point next summer. Thanks for your prayers!”

The longtime Dodgers ace and current free agent had previously hinted at a potential retirement after the 2023 season.

Kershaw, who in 2023 posted a 2.46 ERA with 137 strikeouts across 24 starts in his 16th season in the big leagues, has been tormented by injuries in recent years. The 35-year-old southpaw missed six weeks last season with shoulder inflammation and has been plagued with persistent back problems since 2016. He hasn’t had a fully healthy season since 2015.

A 10-time All-Star and likely future Hall of Famer, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP has won 210 games and posted a 2.48 ERA with 2,944 strikeouts through his career. —