Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Clayton Kershaw, an iconic pitcher for the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, has agreed to terms on an 18th season with the team, according to multiple reports Tuesday. The American left-hander, who turns 37 next month, is a three-time Cy Young Award winner as the National League’s top pitcher and was the 2014 NL Most Valuable Player.
The 10-time Major League Baseball All-Star helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series but managed only seven starts last year due to pre-season left shoulder surgery and a left foot bone spur late in the campaign. Kershaw appeared at the Dodgers’ training camp in Arizona on Tuesday, the first day of pre-season workouts for pitchers and catchers, with ESPN and The Athletic reporting he only needed to pass a physical to make a contract deal official.
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Kershaw declined a player contract option for the 2025 season to become a free agent but had been expected to re-sign with the Dodgers. He is expected to miss time at the start of the season in March as he works back into top form. With a career record of 212-94, a 2.50 earned-run average, and 2,968 strikeouts—all with the Dodgers—Kershaw has established Hall of Fame credentials since being taken seventh in the 2006 MLB Draft, needing just 32 strikeouts to become MLB’s 20th pitcher with 3,000 of them.
“Just having Kersh here makes a big difference for everybody,” teammate Chris Taylor said. “He’s one of our leaders and we’re always happy to have him here. And then, of course, we’re excited for when he’s healthy, when he comes back—we know what he brings to the table.”
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