Roger Arrieta
OKLAHOMA CITY— After months of rehabbing a stubborn toe injury, Clayton Kershaw finally made his long‑awaited return to the mound—albeit not in Dodger Blue. Pitching for the Oklahoma City Comets at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a brisk 11 a.m. start, the future Hall of Famer delivered an encouraging performance that hints at a big‑league comeback ahead.
Feeling Right at Home in OKC
“It feels good,” Kershaw smiled when asked about climbing over the bullpen gate—“I think I broke the gate back there. So sorry about that.” True to form, he embraced the mid‑morning crowd and lively atmosphere, noting that the small ballpark and enthusiastic kids in attendance made for a fun outing.
Health and Stuff: The Two Keys
On any rehab assignment, health is the headline. Kershaw reported zero discomfort in his surgically repaired toe, a crucial step forward after a lengthy recovery:
“I felt good today. Anytime with rehab you want to feel healthy… and you want to see your stuff play. I got some quick outs, which is good.”
Command was the secondary concern. Kershaw leaned heavily on the slider—his “go‑to” out pitch—mixing in sinkers and change‑ups to keep hitters off balance. While he wasn’t fully pleased with his fastball just yet (“I don’t know if I’d be happy with that right now with a fastball” he admitted), the overall feel was positive:
“There were some sliders that had the right bite… overall, there were some good throws in there for sure.”
Building Toward the Big League
With this first inning‑and‑two‑thirds under his belt, Kershaw has already set goals for the next steps:
- Increase fastball consistency,
- Maintain slider command,
- Add more change‑ups to his regular repertoire.
And while he’s still experimenting—“I want it to be more of a cutter, not a sinker,” he explained—there’s no mistaking his competitive drive. “Let’s see if [the change‑up] lasts,” he said with a grin. “For right now, I feel like I can at least throw it a little bit.”
A Supportive Surrounding Cast
Rehab assignments aren’t solo endeavors, and Kershaw was quick to praise the Comets clubhouse and coaching staff:
“This group in OKC… a lot of talent, a lot of big leaders. It’s fun to be around, and it’s always fun to come down here.”
That camaraderie is exactly what Kershaw needs as he rebuilds innings and rounds back into form.
What’s Next?
Expect Clayton to continue ramping up pitch counts over the coming outings—mixing in more secondary pitches and refining his arsenal—before the Dodgers call him back to Chavez Ravine. If today’s outing is any indication, L.A.’s ace is on the right path
? Stay tuned for more updates on Kershaw’s rehab journey and the moment he rejoins the Dodgers’ rotation.
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