Clayton Kershaw has been compelled to observe the Dodgers’ playoff run from the dugout as a result of bone spurs in his left massive toe, which capped off an injury-marred season that noticed him pitch a career-low 30 innings. Regardless of these obstacles, Kershaw informed the Fox Sports activities pregame crew in the present day (video hyperlink) that he plans to return for his 18th Main League season.
Referring to the shoulder process he underwent final November, Kershaw stated “I wish to make use of this surgical procedure, you understand? I don’t wish to have surgical procedure and shut it down. So I’m gonna come again subsequent yr and provides it a go and see the way it goes.” Whereas he referred to his bone spurs as “some powerful luck,” Kershaw stated that in any other case, “my shoulder and elbow, every thing, my arm, feels nice.”
Accidents have been an omnipresent a part of Kershaw’s story for the final a number of seasons, and he has overtly thought-about retirement earlier than ultimately deciding to maintain pitching typically, and hold pitching for the Dodgers. With a 4.50 ERA over his 30 frames in his age-36 season, this marked the primary time Kershaw confirmed any decline in efficiency amidst his well being considerations — whereas restricted to 258 innings over the 2022-23 seasons, Kershaw nonetheless had a 2.37 ERA and was an All-Star in each campaigns.
Kershaw didn’t give any trace as as to if or not one other surgical procedure could be required to handle his bone spurs, although which may appear the logical plan of action for what has seemingly been a longer-term situation. (Los Angeles supervisor Dave Roberts stated in August that Kershaw had been coping with the bone spurs for a number of years.) Till we all know if such a process is even required or not, it’s too quickly to say if Kershaw could be absolutely able to go when the Dodgers begin their Spring Coaching camp in February. His shoulder rehab delayed his 2024 debut till July 25.
Whereas rehabbing from the shoulder surgical procedure, Kershaw delayed his subsequent contract till February 2024, when he rejoined the Dodgers on a two-year, $10MM assure. The contract is particularly a $5MM deal for the 2024 season after which a minimal $5MM participant possibility for 2025 that Kershaw will presumably train. As per the phrases of the contract, Kershaw earned an additional $2.5MM in 2024 wage, and an additional $5MM on his participant possibility, so he’ll now financial institution one other $10MM by choosing up his participant possibility. It’s doable Kershaw and the Dodgers may work out an extension of some form to lock in that wage and tack on an alternative choice for 2026, to provide either side flexibility ought to Kershaw wish to hold pitching for yet one more season.
Although Kershaw may nonetheless discover himself with a World Collection ring in just a few weeks’ time, it isn’t stunning that he isn’t contemplating ending his profession on the low observe of a 30-inning season. He even had a 2.63 ERA in his first 5 begins earlier than permitting eight runs over his final six innings pitched, presumably when the returned discomfort from his toe began to influence his efficiency. If Kershaw can stay as wholesome as doable for a 37-year-old pitcher together with his damage historical past, it isn’t exhausting to think about that he can nonetheless ship high quality manufacturing.
After struggling by a mountain of pitching accidents this season, the Dodgers technically have a full employees value of choices for 2025, even when each out there arm has some extent of well being considerations. As famous by The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said over the weekend that the group could use a six-man rotation to be able to assist hold everybody wholesome, and to supply extra relaxation for Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto particularly. Ohtani didn’t pitch in 2024 as a result of UCL surgical procedure and naturally has the added workload of his DH duties, whereas the Dodgers have been holding Yamamoto on the Japan-like schedule of pitching with no less than 5 days of relaxation.
Between that duo and Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow missed the top of the season and the playoffs as a result of an elbow pressure, Tony Gonsolin didn’t pitch in 2024 whereas recovering from a Tommy John surgical procedure, and Dustin Could didn’t pitch in 2024 as a result of recoveries from a pair of arm procedures in July 2023 after which a throat surgical procedure in July of this yr. Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski, and prospect Jackson Ferris are different arms that determine to be a part of the rotation combine. It additionally stands to cause that L.A. will certainly add one other pitcher or two this offseason to assist safeguard this group in opposition to any additional damage hits.