The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Clayton Kershaw bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium on September 25 was added to their promotional calendar for the 2024 season.
The date had previously been one of four bobblehead games that did not yet have details. Overall, there are 18 bobblehead dates on the 2024 Dodgers promotions and giveaways schedule.
Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year contract with a player option for 2025. Kershaw’s contract includes incentives that reportedly can bring its total value to $25 million over the two years.
This marked a third consecutive offseason in which the longtime Dodgers ace was a free agent. In the two prior cases, Kershaw re-signed on straight one-year deals.
His calculus presumably changed this time around due to undergoing left shoulder surgery in November to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule. The procedure was completed by Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
“His rehab has come along really well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during DodgerFest. “You know us, we’re going to keep in contact during talks. He’s always been a Dodger. That’s our hope as well. … I think his thought process right now is dominate the rehab process and get something done when it makes sense.”
Kershaw is hopeful to complete his rehab process and join the Dodgers rotation in July or August.
Despite dealing with the significant shoulder injury during the second half of last season, Kershaw finished the year 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 24 starts. He was plenty effective when healthy and before landing on the 15-day injured list was among the top candidates to start for the National League in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
Clayton Kershaw making Dodgers history
Kershaw is now the longest-tenured pitcher in Dodgers franchise history with the 2024 season being his 17th with the team. Only Zack Wheat and Bill Russell had longer Dodgers careers at 18 years each.
Kershaw is the only active player with at least 17 years of service time with the same team, and he’s among only 77 players in MLB history to ever reach that threshold with one club.
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