As a surprise to no one, the Dodger announced on Tuesday that 37-year-old (today) future first-ballot Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw has been placed on the Dodgers 60-Day injured list, a move that allowed Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman to add 26-year-old right-hander Matt Sauer to the Dodgers active roster prior to Wednesday contest against the Chicago Cubs at Japan’s Tokyo Dome.

As Dodgers and baseball fans around the globe know, the Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in Dallas underwent surgeries to his left toe and left knee this past November, with hopes of helping his teammates defend their 2024 World Series title. That hope is now understandably on hold.

The Dodgers have made it abundantly clear that they would not rush the 10-time All-Star, five-time ERA title holder, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2014 MLB Player of the Year back into the Dodgers starting rotation until he was completely healed. The hope now is that he will be ready to go at the end of that 60-day IL stint.

Lest we forget that the man often referred to as the other left arm of God (in addition to Dodgers Hall of Fame left-hander Sandy Koufax) underwent surgery on his left shoulder to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule back in November of 2023, performed by famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

The extremely popular Kershaw has been quite visible in the Dodgers dugout this Spring and during Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s regular season opening series against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. He has also been very visible mentoring the many young Dodgers pitchers in camp, as well as a few veteran hurlers smart enough to take his advice.

Just Kershaw being Kershaw.

Play Ball!

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