The Los Angeles Dodgers will begin their 2024 MLB playoff run without Clayton Kershaw. And finish it too.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters Saturday, hours before the team faces the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, that Kershaw is out for the entire 2024 postseason. The three-time Cy Young winner has been on the IL since August with a bone spur in his toe.

From the Associated Press:

Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers last offseason, signing a one-year contract with plenty of incentives. The contract was signed with the knowledge that the 36-year-old would not be ready for action until mid-season after shoulder surgery after the 2023 season.

He finally made his debut on July 25 and made a total of seven starts before encountering the toe problem. Because he made seven starts, Kershaw will receive his base salary of $5 million for 2024, $2.5 million in incentives and a $5 million player option for next season. He will not receive any of his postseason bonuses, which were significant.

The injury again raises questions about whether Kershaw has played his last game in a Dodger jersey. One of the reasons he came back was the brutal end to his season last year when he allowed six earned runs and just one out against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2024 NLDS, but this season hasn't been much better.

Kershaw posted a negative bWAR and a 4.50 ERA while averaging 4.3 innings per start. It has now been five years since Kershaw qualified for the ERA title and nine years since he broke 200 innings. Retirement could be a possibility for him, as could a move to another team.

Roberts also said Saturday that veteran reliever Joe Kelly was left off the Dodgers' NLDS roster after he tweaked his shoulder in a simulated game, leaving the team without another pitcher while playing their NLDS rivals took over. In addition to Kershaw and Kelly, Los Angeles is missing the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Brusdar Graterol and more.

On the Padres side, the team will be without All-Star starter Joe Musgrove, who will undergo Tommy John surgery.