“He’s one of the guys I really haven’t hit at all” – Shohei Ohtani responds to never managing a hit against Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw

Shohei Ohtani had some humble words for Clayton Kershaw who is finally on his way back to the MLB after a left shoulder injury. The Japanese superstar spoke about all the times he has faced the veteran pitcher and the little success he has achieved.

Kershaw underwent surgery in his left shoulder for gleohumeral ligaments and capsule repair. The 36-year-old was out of contract with the Dodgers when it was announced that he will miss at least the first half of the 2024 season. But both parties got together and extended him for a year worth $10 million with a club option available for 2025.

The 10x All-Star is expected to return against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. In anticipation of his return, Shohei Ohtani was asked on ESPN’s Sportscenter about squaring up against Kershaw in the past whenever the Dodgers played their cross-town rivals Los Angeles Angels. Shohei went 0-11 in all those duels.

“He’s one of the guys I really haven’t hit at all, looking back at my career,” Ohtani said through his interpreter, Ireton.

The 29-year-old also added a bit about his excitement of seeing such a star pitcher up close and this time on his side of the dugout.

“I am looking forward to seeing him pitch in front of my eyes, and him coming back is really a good thing for the Dodgers,” Ohtani added through Ireton.

Where does Clayton Kershaw fit in Dodgers pitching rotation?

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, as many as seven starting pitchers were sidelined due to injury, which includes the likes of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler. The two pitchers returning from this set of injured starters are Tyler Glasnow, who spent time on the 15-day IL, and Clayton Kershaw.

Kershaw will fill in the fourth spot in the starting rotation behind Glasnow, star rookie Gavin Stone and the experienced James Paxton. On Monday night, Dave Roberts also tested River Ryan as the fifth starter. This more or less settles the rotation, and if all five are able to hold their end of the bargain, LA will able to regain its form on the mound and not heavily rely on the offense.