Clayton Kershaw's Wife Says 'It's Killing Him to Sit On Sidelines'

No one knows Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw better than his wife, Ellen -- who tells TMZ Sports the injured pitcher is "giving it everything he has" to get back in the rotation THIS season.

Ellen -- along with several other Dodger wives and girlfriends -- was at the Downtown Women's Center preparing food for the homeless when we asked about her husband's back injury.

"He's doing okay," Ellen told us ... "He's giving it everything he has to make it back this season without going through any surgery."

"It's killing him to be on the sidelines."

However, Ellen says the fact the Dodgers are doing so well right now is GREAT for Clayton's recovery.

"It's allowing him to be patient and not rush back ... because he sees the team, they're really capable."