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The 2024 season was a rough one for Dodgers star pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Following surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason, the three-time Cy Young Award winner was out until late July before returning and pitching in just 30 innings before being sidelined again as his 17th year in the big leagues was cut short.
It’s been a frustrating stretch, but on Wednesday in OKC, the 37-year-old Kershaw showed he still has something left in the tank.
Kershaw pitched for the first time this season as he made a rehab start in the OKC Comets’ 3-1 win against the Tacoma Rainiers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The southpaw had an efficient day, allowing just two hits and striking out two while throwing 30 pitches over three scoreless innings.
“I think any time with rehab you want to feel healthy, which I do,” Kershaw said. “I felt good today. And then you want to see your stuff obviously play. I got some quick outs, which was good. There are some things I need to work on still, but for the first one overall, it was a good step forward for sure.”
More: OKC metro could host international team during 2026 FIFA World Cup
Kershaw had surgeries for two issues during this past offseason.
One was for his left big toe, while the other was to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
This was Kershaw’s first time on the mound since Aug. 30, and he will be allowed to return to the Dodgers — who won the World Series last year — on May 17 after starting the season on the 60-day disabled list.
On Wednesday, he was simply glad to be back on the mound and has enjoyed his time with the Comets, who are 11-6 and first in the East Division of the Pacific Coast League.
“I like these guys,” Kershaw said. “It was a good group. Obviously, a lot of talent. A lot of big leaguers for sure. But good group, fun to be around and it’s always fun to come down here.”
More: Oklahoma City Comets nickname, logos get stamp of approval from Mickey Mantle family
Wednesday wasn’t free of obstacles Kershaw had to overcome, but the most notable and comical one wasn’t during the game itself.
Kershaw went to the bullpen after his three innings on the mound. After going through everything and finishing what he needed to do, he couldn’t get out of the gate, so he climbed and hopped over it while making sure to not aggravate his injuries.
“It feels good,” Kershaw said with a laugh. “I think I broke the gate back there, so sorry about that.”
Wednesday’s game in OKC started at 11:05 a.m. as the Comets were holding one of their Field Trip Days.
It was a solid turnout, and the crowd was filled with students who got to see a future Hall of Famer in action.
Kershaw was happy to put on a show for all the kids.
“I like this ballpark,” Kershaw said. “It’s fun to be here. Eleven a.m. is a little early obviously. I think the guys are still waking up, but it was a fun game. A lot of kids, which is great.”
Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Clayton Kershaw takes ‘step forward’ in rehab start with OKC Comets
Continue reading...
Following surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason, the three-time Cy Young Award winner was out until late July before returning and pitching in just 30 innings before being sidelined again as his 17th year in the big leagues was cut short.
It’s been a frustrating stretch, but on Wednesday in OKC, the 37-year-old Kershaw showed he still has something left in the tank.
Kershaw pitched for the first time this season as he made a rehab start in the OKC Comets’ 3-1 win against the Tacoma Rainiers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The southpaw had an efficient day, allowing just two hits and striking out two while throwing 30 pitches over three scoreless innings.
“I think any time with rehab you want to feel healthy, which I do,” Kershaw said. “I felt good today. And then you want to see your stuff obviously play. I got some quick outs, which was good. There are some things I need to work on still, but for the first one overall, it was a good step forward for sure.”
More: OKC metro could host international team during 2026 FIFA World Cup
Kershaw had surgeries for two issues during this past offseason.
One was for his left big toe, while the other was to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
This was Kershaw’s first time on the mound since Aug. 30, and he will be allowed to return to the Dodgers — who won the World Series last year — on May 17 after starting the season on the 60-day disabled list.
On Wednesday, he was simply glad to be back on the mound and has enjoyed his time with the Comets, who are 11-6 and first in the East Division of the Pacific Coast League.
“I like these guys,” Kershaw said. “It was a good group. Obviously, a lot of talent. A lot of big leaguers for sure. But good group, fun to be around and it’s always fun to come down here.”
More: Oklahoma City Comets nickname, logos get stamp of approval from Mickey Mantle family
Wednesday wasn’t free of obstacles Kershaw had to overcome, but the most notable and comical one wasn’t during the game itself.
Kershaw went to the bullpen after his three innings on the mound. After going through everything and finishing what he needed to do, he couldn’t get out of the gate, so he climbed and hopped over it while making sure to not aggravate his injuries.
“It feels good,” Kershaw said with a laugh. “I think I broke the gate back there, so sorry about that.”
Wednesday’s game in OKC started at 11:05 a.m. as the Comets were holding one of their Field Trip Days.
It was a solid turnout, and the crowd was filled with students who got to see a future Hall of Famer in action.
Kershaw was happy to put on a show for all the kids.
“I like this ballpark,” Kershaw said. “It’s fun to be here. Eleven a.m. is a little early obviously. I think the guys are still waking up, but it was a fun game. A lot of kids, which is great.”
Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Clayton Kershaw takes ‘step forward’ in rehab start with OKC Comets
Continue reading...
