Clayton Kershaw, the "eternal ace" of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), is back on the operating table.안전놀이터
Kershaw operated on his left knee and left toe at the same time in Los Angeles on the 8th (Korea Standard Time).
"I will complete my rehabilitation (during the winter) and get good results next season," Kershaw said on social networking service right after the surgery. "Thank you to everyone who prayed and cheered for me. World Series champion!"
Kershaw, who underwent shoulder surgery after the 2023 season, returned in late July and went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven games.
However, he was back on the injured list (IL) in early September due to pain in his left big toe and eventually failed to play in the postseason (PS).
Kershaw did not play in fall baseball, but he accompanied the Dodgers to the end and also attended the World Series championship parade.
At the victory parade in Los Angeles, he declared, "I will forever be a Dodgers player (Dodger for life)."
However, Kershaw rejected the $10 million player option he signed with the Dodgers on the 5th, ahead of surgery, and declared a free agent (FA), drawing keen attention.
Some observers say that Kershaw's declaration of FA is an expedient to give the Dodgers' 40-man roster room.
The Dodgers are expected to sign Kershaw to a multi-year contract while protecting one more player.
Kershaw, who has played 17 seasons in the Dodgers alone since his Major League debut in 2008, has a career-high 212-94 record with a 2.50 ERA.
Kershaw, who has 2,968 strikeouts, will challenge the long-awaited 3,000 strikeouts when he returns next season.
Kershaw, also a 10-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner and one league MVP, is sure to make it to the Hall of Fame after retirement.