Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw said he plans to be on the mound in 2025.
Kershaw, who went on the injured list in August due to a bone spur in his left big toe, said he wants to make the most of the surgery he had over the offseason.
“My shoulder, my elbow, my arm feels great,” Kershaw said. “Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year. But I want to make use of this surgery. I don’t want to have surgery and shut it down. So I’m gonna come back next year and give it a go and see how it goes.”
Kershaw underwent surgery in November to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder and managed to get on the mound by late July. He had just seven appearances before suffering the toe injury in August.
In his seven starts, Kershaw threw 24 strikeouts and recorded a 4.50 ERA across 30 innings. In his last healthy season in 2023, Kershaw had 137 strikeouts, a 2.46 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP across 131.2 innings, enough for him to be named an All-Star for the 10th time.
The veteran will be 37 during the 2025 season and has a player option for the upcoming free agency.
The Dodgers could use Kershaw in 2025 given recent injury news regarding pitchers in their starting rotation. Starter Gavin Stone underwent surgery on his right shoulder last week and is expected to miss the entirety of the 2025 season. Stone had a breakout season in 2024 that saw him record 116 strikeouts and a 3.53 ERA in 25 starts.
Should he be on the mound again in 2025, Kershaw will have the chance to chase history. He’s just 32 strikeouts away from reaching the 3,000 strikeout mark, a number just 19 pitchers have achieved in MLB history. That feat would only add to the illustrious career Kershaw has had.
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