Clayton Kershaw’s 2024 season has been a whirlwind of highs and lows. After shoulder surgery kept him off the mound for much of the year, he finally made his return in July. But his comeback was short-lived; an agonizing toe injury sidelined him in August, forcing the Dodgers’ left-handed legend to call it a season. Yet, true to form, Kershaw isn’t ready to hang up his cleats. The 38-year-old has confirmed he’s set on a 2025 comeback, eager to make the most of his recovery and continue adding to his illustrious legacy.
With 18 seasons, three Cy Young Awards, and an MVP title to his name, Kershaw’s career speaks for itself. His Dodger loyalty is unmatched, and he’s just 32 strikeouts shy of the elite 3,000 mark. While he holds a $5 million option for 2025 with incentives that could hit $20 million, the real question is whether the Dodgers will bring him back in a bullpen now stacked with rising talent.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff hasn’t missed a beat without Kershaw this postseason. Jack Flaherty’s recent Game 1 performance in the NLCS, where he threw seven shutout innings, was praised as a “pitching clinic” by manager Dave Roberts. Alongside pitchers like Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers have notched three consecutive postseason shutouts, proving they can dominate the mound even without their veteran ace.
Kershaw’s determination is unquestionable, but as the Dodgers look to the future, fans are left wondering: Will there still be room for the Claw? Let us know if you think Kershaw deserves a final run with the Dodgers in 2025.
