Clayton Kershaw has had a long-standing relationship with catcher Austin Burns, having pitched to him 86 times since 2015 during the regular season.
Pitchers and catchers naturally develop close ties as they navigate the grind of a 162-game season. So, it’s really tough for pitchers when their catching partner leaves. Kershaw expressed his sadness on Thursday after Burns got reassigned, making way for Dalton Rushing.
“I think everyone was caught off guard,” Kershaw remarked before the A’s 19-2 win. “Yeah, it’s sad. Burnsey is one of my best friends, both on and off the field. You won’t find anyone who wants to win more than Austin. He always manages to make big plays for us.”
“It’s just sad to see someone who’s been here for so long leave. We all share that feeling. But this isn’t about Dalton; he deserves his chance and is going to be a fantastic player.”
Burns has been a part of two championship teams with the Dodgers during his 11 years, alternating between backup and starting roles. He served as Will Smith’s backup before the team decided to move on.
At 35, Burns may not have been renowned for his batting, posting a .660 OPS throughout his career. Still, he participated in 10 games during the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series title run, contributing to their success last season as well.
MLB.com reports that Burns has had 44 plate appearances before the Dodgers opted for Rushing.
He was the second-longest tenured player on the team, trailing only Kershaw. Their 86 regular season games together rank second for Kershaw and a catcher, just behind A.J. Ellis’ 118, and the duo maintained a solid 2.66 ERA.
The Dodgers opted for Burns’ $3.5 million contract for the 2025 offseason, reflecting a shift in the team’s spending habits.
“That was definitely a tough chat,” manager Dave Roberts noted. “Austin is truly a lifeblood of the Dodgers. He played a crucial role in our championship, catching the final pitch of the 2020 World Series and doing remarkable work in the community.”
“Right now, Rushing’s performance gives him the chance to grow and gain major league experience.”
While Kershaw feels the sting of losing his friend, he is set to make his return against the Angels on Saturday after undergoing knee and toe surgery last year.
As the Dodgers maintain a connection to the Tigers, marked by a stellar 29-15 record, they are dealing with a wave of pitching injuries.
Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki are all sidelined, while Shohei Ohtani is still working towards his pitching debut with the Dodgers in his second season.
