Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw participated in the Tokyo series in Japan with his family at his own expense, even though he is unable to play due to rehabilitation. Kershaw did not participate in the Seoul series held at Gocheok Dome a year ago, but he joined this Tokyo series, calling it "a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The Dodgers team arrived in Japan on a charter flight on the 13th. The Dodgers, with Japanese pitchers Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, received a warm welcome. The Dodgers will play a two-game opening series against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on the 18th and 19th.

Kershaw underwent surgery on his left knee and left big toe last November and is still in rehabilitation. He has set a return schedule for June. Kershaw was naturally excluded from the Dodgers' Tokyo series roster.

Nonetheless, Kershaw accompanied his wife and all four children to the Tokyo series during his rehabilitation. Since he was not included in the roster, Kershaw bore all the expenses himself. According to USA Today, Kershaw said the reason he visited Japan was "because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nothing can replace this trip. I’m very excited."

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also commented on Kershaw's attendance. Roberts said, "Kershaw came to Japan this time at his own expense with his family. He wanted to see everything about the Tokyo trip. We took a step toward something amazing."

Kershaw did not participate in the Seoul series held at Gocheok Dome a year ago. He was also in rehabilitation at that time. Last March, the Dodgers played two games against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Dome during the Seoul series. Kershaw underwent surgery on his left shoulder after the 2023 season and was in rehabilitation. He stayed in the United States to continue his rehabilitation without accompanying the Dodgers team. However, this year he showed enthusiasm by participating in the Tokyo series at his own expense, held in the land of superstar Ohtani.

Dodgers' Freddie Freeman said before the visit to Japan, "Our team has Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki. I expect it to be 10 times better than Korea."

Since debuting with the Dodgers in 2008, Kershaw has recorded 432 games (2,742⅔ innings), 212 wins, 94 losses, an earned run average of 2.50, and 2,968 strikeouts. He has won the Cy Young Award three times and the MVP once, and has been selected as an All-Star ten times.

In his last seven games (30 innings), he recorded 2 wins, 2 losses, and an earned run average of 4.50, and his season ended early due to a toe injury at the end of August. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to win the World Series, but Kershaw did not participate in the postseason.

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