Clayton Kershaw injury update: How Dodgers pitcher fared in OKC rehab start

Fans huddled around the Oklahoma City Baseball Club’s bullpen at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Saturday. 

As spectators gathered, Clayton Kershaw continued to warm up for his major league rehab assignment start at the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.

Kershaw, who has been with the organization since 2006, had shoulder surgery in the offseason and started the year on the 60-day injured list. However, despite having his first rehab assignment in Rancho Cucamonga on June 19, Kershaw had an MRI after he experienced shoulder soreness from pitching three innings. 

“I was thankful it was only a little blip on the screen,” Kershaw said after his outing on Saturday. “I was able to get back out here.” 

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After restarting his rehab assignment with OKC, the 2020 World Champion delivered in front of 9,327 fans, as he appeared to fall into a groove quickly during his three-inning outing. 

Kershaw had five strikeouts and gave up a run, a walk and two hits during his appearance with Rancho Cucamonga three and a half weeks ago. But on Saturday, he threw 38 pitches, through three innings with 23 of them being strikes. The 10-time MLB All-Star, did not allow a run, walk or hit and had five strikeouts. 

“I thought it actually went pretty well tonight,” Kershaw said. “I thought it went better than the last one, so that was encouraging for sure. I got through three innings which was kind of the goal for tonight. I definitely have one more and will go from there, but overall, I would say it’s pretty positive tonight.” 

Although the left-hander exited the game after three innings, fans returned to the bullpen as he continued to throw pitches — something Kershaw has implemented throughout his career as he works to get back into in-season form. 

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“I was just trying to throw more pitches,” Kershaw said. “It’s kind of like what I do with spring training sometimes. I think the goal was to get 50 tonight, so instead of going back out for the fourth, which probably would have been too much for the first time back out, it was a little tamer setting in the bullpen.” 

The appearance marked Kershaw’s fourth career start with OKC, the three others occurred in 2017, 2019 and 2021, and although the pitcher acknowledged the organization’s updated facilities and the city's additions of new restaurants and hotels, he is ready to get back to where he plays the game best.

When asked if he was ready to return to Dodger Stadium again, his answer was simple.“Yeah,” Kershaw said.