Dodgers shut down Kershaw for playoffs

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was shut down for the remainder of the postseason, manager Dave Roberts announced, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

Kershaw has been sidelined since Aug. 31 with a bone spur in his big toe.

"Where he's at right now, physically, the foot, the toe, just is not cooperating. It's actually getting worse," Roberts said of the injury, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "This is it for Clayton for 2024."

A new MRI revealed some additional issues with the problematic toe. Kershaw acknowledged that the injury worsened when he tried to keep throwing in the hopes of pitching in the playoffs, per David Vassegh of AM 570 Sports. As a result, surgery is now a possibility and will be discussed following the postseason, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Kershaw said that while he's still enjoying pitching, he's not ready to make a decision on his future in the majors, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

The 36-year-old only made seven starts for the Dodgers this year, and his regular season debut did not come until July 25. He spent the entire first half rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery.

The weight of Kershaw's absence is exacerbated by the fact Los Angeles will also be without ace Tyler Glasnow the rest of the way.

Veteran reliever Joe Kelly was left off the NLDS roster after suffering a shoulder injury during a simulated game earlier this week, Roberts said, according to ESPN's Alden González. Kelly will only be available to pitch if the Dodgers advance to the World Series, Roberts added.

Rookie flamethrower Edgardo Henriquez, who's known for his electric fastball despite just three big-league appearances, took Kelly's spot on the Dodgers' playoff roster.

Kershaw has authored an inconsistent playoff resume. His postseason ERA (4.49) pales in comparison to his 17-year regular season career (2.50), but he was excellent in Los Angeles' 2020 World Series run.

The lefty has won an MVP and three Cy Young Awards.