Despite not knowing when in 2024 he’ll be able to start pitching again, Clayton Kershaw now knows when that happens it’ll be with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tuesday, ESPN’s Alden González reported that LA and Kershaw came to a deal on a contract that would see the longtime ace return to the only franchise he’s ever known for a 17th season in the Majors. All of this despite Kershaw undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason which will likely put Kershaw on the shelf until at least the second half of the upcoming season.
Additionally, Joel Sherman of the New York Post also noted that it’s likely Kershaw’s new deal with Los Angeles would go into effect on Thursday when teams are officially able to put players on the 60-day IL without using a 40-man roster spot.
It appeared that apart from the Texas Rangers, no other team posed a significant threat to acquire Kershaw. Nevertheless, it seems that the Dodgers value him more than any other team due to his current injury status. Given what LA has done this offseason by stacking their rotation with the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernández, there’s no rush at all to get Kershaw back on the mound and the veteran can rehab and come back when he’s fully ready to go.
Lastly, Kershaw’s return doesn’t seem overly sentimental for either side considering he can still pitch. Last season while dealing with injury Kershaw was still incredibly effective posting a 2.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 131.2 innings.
