When Will Clayton Kershaw Return and Be Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

The Dodgers' pitching staff, once regarded as the best in baseball, has been crushed by injuries this year. The Dodgers' 40-man roster shows a staggering nine pitchers on the 60-day IL and three more on the 15-day list.

Tony Gonsolin won't pitch this year due to Tommy John surgery. Dustin May suffered a torn esophagus in February and will not pitch this year. Japanese import Yoshinobu Yamamoto was moved to the 60-day IL with a lingering triceps injury after 14 starts this season. Walker Buehler, after an ineffective eight starts, was placed on the IL on June 19 with hip inflammation. There is no word on his return. Tyler Glasnow was placed on the IL last week with lower back tightness. He is still on the National League All-Star team but is not expected to play tomorrow.

This is without getting to the largest hole in the rotation, future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw has not pitched in 2024 due to offseason shoulder surgery. We finally have some news on the possible return of Kershaw. Is it good or bad?

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Clayton Kershaw Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Kershaw underwent surgery to repair the ligaments and capsule in his left (throwing arm) shoulder on November 3. The Dodgers sent him on a rehab assignment to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on June 19. He has seen limited work in the minors since, but his last outing for Triple-A Oklahoma City looked promising.

Clayton Kershaw is finished after facing the minimum over three innings.

3.0 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 5 K

38 pitches/23 strikes pic.twitter.com/066gQ6qlAE

— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) July 14, 2024

The results were positive, as Kershaw looked sharp against Triple-A batters in a truncated outing. Kershaw is expected to start again for Oklahoma City on Friday night. If all goes well, he could be back with the Dodgers early next week, and his first start could happen by the middle of next week.

BREAKING: Clayton Kershaw will start for OKC on Friday. If it goes well, then he is expected to be activated off the IL and return to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation per Dave Roberts. pic.twitter.com/SQGk72knE9

— The Incline: Dodgers Podcast (@TheInclinePod) July 14, 2024

If you held on to Kershaw, congratulations! The wait is almost over. He will likely be on a pitch count for his first few starts in the majors, but Kershaw on a pitch count is still better than most pitchers in the league. He will help your fantasy team immediately!

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