LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw’s record-tying 18th season with the Dodgers will officially commence on Saturday against the Angels at Dodger Stadium, manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.
Kershaw has been on the injured list since the start of the season, after surgeries on his left toe and left knee last November. He for the most part was recovered from the knee injury by spring training, but the toe took longer, including four weeks each on crutches and in a walking boot before he could throw regularly.
In five minor league rehab starts — three with Triple-A Oklahoma City, one with Double-A Tulsa, and another in the Arizona Complex League — Kershaw had a 2.57 ERA with 16 strikeouts and five walks in 21 innings. His final rehab start came Sunday in Triple-A, allowing two runs in four innings while pitching on four days rest.
Kershaw will start Saturday on five days rest.
“It’s a big shot in the arm. Clayton has really worked hard to get back, and the bar is high for him,” Roberts said Tuesday. “He doesn’t just want to come back to be active. He wants to come back and help us win baseball games and be active.”
Kershaw’s 17 seasons with the Dodgers is already a franchise record for pitchers. Once he gets into a game this year, he’ll tie Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most seasons with the Dodgers by any player.
Because Kershaw is on the 60-day injured list, the Dodgers will need corresponding move(s) to make room on the 40-man roster as well as to clear space on the active roster.
