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Free-agent starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw underwent shoulder surgery and doesn’t expect to pitch again until next summer, he announced Friday on Instagram.
Shoulder issues down the stretch limited Kershaw’s innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season after the 35-year-old missed all of July.
Kershaw didn’t pitch more than five innings in any outing from his Aug. 10 return to the rotation through the end of the regular season. He lasted only 1/3 of an inning and allowed six earned runs during his lone NLDS start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Despite his shoulder troubles, the three-time National League Cy Young winner posted a 13-5 record with a 2.46 ERA in 24 starts last season, earning his 10th All-Star nod.
Kershaw is one of the top starting pitching options available in free agency, although retirement rumors involving the 2014 NL MVP have surfaced again.
