The Los Angeles Dodgers are re-signing Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw for the 2025 season. It will be his 18th season with the organization. The exact details of Kershaw’s contract are unknown, but the future Hall of Famer is expected to make between $5 and $10 million this season. He declined a player option earlier this offseason, but his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers was never in question.
Injuries have plagued Kershaw in recent years. 2024 was no different. He was limited to seven starts last season after making his debut in July. He was sidelined sidelined once more after injuring his foot. Kershaw’s last start of the year was August 30. He finished 2-22 with a 4.50 ERA in 2024.
Kershaw also had foot and knee surgeries in November. He will not be ready for Opening Day. He is set to return a few months into the 2025 regular season. Will Kershaw be able to pitch well once healthy and help the Los Angeles Dodgers win back-to-back championships?
Los Angeles Dodgers Offseason Summary
The Dodgers have agreed to a contract with Clayton Kershaw, per multiple sources. The signing will become official once he has completed his physical pic.twitter.com/YFhKy4u0km
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 11, 2025
Los Angeles won the World Series with relative ease in October. They did not rest on their laurels and became much better this offseason. Even though they improved their lineup, LA’s pitching staff also improved dramatically. They signed Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki and two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
Kershaw joins a Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation that is one of the deepest in Major League Baseball. He will pitch alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Glasnow, and Sasaki. Ohtani had elbow surgery following the 2023 season that did not allow him to pitch in 2024. Already the best hitter in Major League Baseball, Ohtani is one of the best starting pitchers healthy. He should be able to return to the mound in May.
Final Thoughts
The only thing that could derail a stacked Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff is injuries. Kershaw’s injury concerns are chief among them. LA’s starting rotation was so injury-plagued come playoff time that they had to use openers in each round of the postseason. It did not matter since their offense had a historic playoff run. Kershaw’s time in the league is running out and he will look to turn back the clock one last time before riding off into the sunset.
