MILWAUKEE — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw appreciates his 11th career All-Star Game selection while acknowledging this one’s a little different from the rest.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner has made only nine starts this season but still got selected to the National League team as a “Legend Pick” by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.

“You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,” Kershaw said Monday before the Dodgers played the Milwaukee Brewers. “Obviously, I don’t deserve to get to go this season. I haven’t pitched very much.”

This marked the first time Manfred made a Legend Pick for the All-Star Game since 2022, when Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols both received that designation.

“I didn’t really actually know that was a thing,” Kershaw said. “At the end of the day, it’s weird, but it’s cool, so I’m just going to enjoy it.”

The honor comes less than a week after Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming just the 20th pitcher to reach that plateau. He’s in his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat and shortstop Bill Russell for the franchise record.

The 37-year-old left-hander didn’t make his season debut until May 17 as he worked his way back from toe and knee surgeries. He also had undergone shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. He owns a 4-0 record and 3.43 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings.

“I think it’s mixed,” Kershaw said. “I think there’s some good and some bad. I think it’s helpful to be able to get the reps, go back out and be able to feel OK in between starts to work on some stuff and try to figure out some things mechanically and pitch-wise and stuff. I’d say overall, I wouldn’t say I’m happy, but I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed, either. Just kind of right in the middle.”

All these career milestones naturally lead to questions about Kershaw’s legacy and future. Kershaw says he’s just focusing on the here and now.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” he said. “I really have no idea when it comes to the years beyond this one, so I’m just trying to enjoy it, trying to be part of a really good team this year. We’ve still got a lot to accomplish, and we still have October. It’s really hard to look at stuff individually when you’re trying to accomplish something as a team.”

But he still appreciates this latest honor, no matter how he was selected.

“I’ll never pass up that opportunity,” Kershaw said. “It’s a tremendous honor. Super thankful to get to go. Regardless of the situation or how I maybe snuck into the All-Star Game, it’s pretty cool to get to be able to go.”

BOSTON — Alex Bregman believes he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and be back in the Boston Red Sox lineup before the All-Star break.

The two-time All-Star third baseman, who has been sidelined since May 24 with a strained right quad, said there’s even a chance his return could happen by the end of this week.

“Trending toward a return here pretty quickly,” Bregman said Monday night after Boston’s 9-3 win over the Rockies. “Whether it’s the end of this week or first game after the break. One of those two. But hoping it will be the end of this week.”

Boston finishes it’s three-game series with Colorado on Wednesday, then hosts Tampa Bay for a four-game series Thursday through Sunday to conclude its first-half schedule.

Boston had high hopes for Bregman, 31, entering the season after he signed as a free agent to a $120 million, three-year deal during the offseason. And he had had been on a torrid pace to start the season, hitting .299 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs before suffering his injury. But Monday marked the 40th game he’s been sidelined.

His injury is similar to the one he sustained to his left quad strain in 2021 with Houston, which cost him 58 games. But unlike that injury, Bregman said he is hopeful he can return to action without a stint in the minors.

Though, he said an ultimate decision will be made after a consultation with the medical and training staff.

“We’re still going to talk about it as a group,” Bregman said. “I think we’re going to have another discussion (Tuesday). But I feel like I can go play and get ready to go.”

The timing synchs up with Bregman being named to his third All-Star team on Sunday as a reserve. But, he said he doesn’t think there’s any chance he’d be able to participate.

While he said he may make an appearance and take his son to the Home Run Derby, he’ll spend the rest of the break maintaining his fitness in preparation for the second half of the season.

“What I need to do is hopefully be back playing by the end of this week,” he said, “and use the All-Star break to continue to build up, work on my leg and make sure that we continue the progression the right way.”

SAN DIEGO — Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres got his 2,000th career hit Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a sharp single off the glove of diving shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.

The milestone hit came off Arizona starter Zac Gallen leading off the fourth inning. Machado received a standing ovation from the crowd at Petco Park, where he has been a fan favorite since he joined the Padres as a free agent in 2019.

The All-Star slugger singled to left field in the first inning for his 1,999th hit and then hit a solo home run in the eighth for his 2,0001st hit. The three-hit performance wasn’t enough to lift San Diego, however, as it fell 6-3.

Machado became the fifth active player and 297th all time to reach the milestone. He is the 12th player to have 350 homers and 2,000 hits by his age-32 season or younger.

“Literally, hat’s off. It’s quite an accomplishment,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said after the loss on 97.3 The Fan. “To have done it, as soon as he’s done it in his career, speaks volumes. … I’m so happy for him. He’s earned it all.”

Machado made his debut with Baltimore in 2012 and had 977 hits with the Orioles before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18, 2018. He had 73 hits with the Dodgers before signing as a free agent with the Padres on Feb. 21, 2019.

He has 950 hits with the Padres, which ranks fifth on the franchise list. Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn had 3,141 in his 20-season career.

Machado was voted the starting third baseman for the National League All-Star team this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.