Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw Struggles in Season Return Against Guardians

Clayton Kershaw, making his third start of the 2025 season after recovering from knee and foot surgeries, pitched five innings against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing one run on six hits with three strikeouts. Despite decent statistics, Kershaw admitted to struggling with mechanical issues and bad habits developed over the past year, acknowledging that his performance was not good enough to stay on the mound longer, which forced the bullpen to pitch more innings. The Dodgers held a 4-1 lead going into the seventh inning but lost 7-4 after a bullpen collapse, with relievers Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia allowing six runs in the late innings, squandering a nearly 90% win probability. Manager Dave Roberts expressed disappointment over the bullpen's failure to execute, highlighting recent struggles from key relievers and the team's fragile rotation situation. Kershaw remains focused on progress and regaining his form despite the setbacks, viewing the outing as part of a process to overcome his physical and mechanical challenges. Overall, the Dodgers' loss underscored ongoing issues with pitching depth and consistency as they navigate the season.