Clayton Kershaw’s new contract with the Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2024 season, but is expected to pitch again through the summer if all goes well. The good news continues for the west coast franchise - three months have passed since Kershaw underwent surgery on his left shoulder and according to several reports, the future Major League Hall of Famer began pitching last week as part of his rehabilitation.

Kershaw to undergo a medical this week

Last weekend, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that talks with Kershaw were at an advanced stage and on Tuesday his return for the 17th season in Major League Baseball was confirmed. The left-handed pitcher will undergo a medical examination on Thursday before signing a one-year contract.

The Dodgers’ plan

Since Clayton Kershaw will miss much of the forthcoming season, the Dodgers’ plan is to eventually tie the pitcher down to a longer deal. So the 2024 season won’t be the last for the player who has been the face of the franchise during the last decade. Extension clauses are expected to be included in his new contract, giving the player an option to return for the 2025 campaign.

If he returns to Chávez Ravine again, Kershaw would be sharing the mound with Shohei Ohtani for the 2025 season. The Japanese superstar will not be able to pitch this year, but he is expected to be a dual threat again next season - something that would motivate Kershaw to continue his career in the Majors.

For now, the 35-year-old left-hander doesn’t have to think beyond this season, but he would surely like to pass the baton to his new teammates and win the World Series in the next two seasons to further cement his legacy. Kershaw underwent surgery at the start of November to repair the capsule and gleno-humeral ligaments in his left shoulder with a return date set for the summer of 2024.