LOS ANGELES, California – Clayton Kershaw, the longtime franchise ace for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has agreed to a deal to return for his 17th big league season. This move comes as Kershaw recovers from surgery on his left shoulder, which took place after the Dodgers’ loss to the D-backs in the NLDS. Although the club hasn’t confirmed the deal, a source told MLB.com about the agreement, pending a physical scheduled for Thursday.
Kershaw, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, boasts an impressive resume, including being a former NL MVP, a 10-time All-Star, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and a World Series champion. He has a lifetime 2.48 ERA and an ERA+ of 157, ranking him second in AL/NL history among pitchers with at least 1,000 innings, just behind Mariano Rivera.
Despite a spotty postseason performance, Kershaw has had his moments of playoff glory, notably helping the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series title.
Since being selected seventh overall by the Dodgers in the 2006 MLB Draft, Kershaw has remained loyal, spending his entire career with the team. His contribution has been essential to the Dodgers’ success, leading the team to the playoffs for 11 consecutive years, winning 10 NL West titles and three NL pennants.
From 2011-2017, Kershaw reached his peak, consistently making the NL All-Star team and finishing highly in the NL Cy Young voting in those years. He won his first NL Cy Young Award in 2011 and amassed impressive stats throughout his career, despite facing injuries and diminished velocity in recent years.