The Los Angeles Dodgers reported to Spring Training without Clayton Kershaw under contract, but that quickly changed when the club announced his signing on Friday as pitchers and catchers held their first workout at Camelback Ranch.
The deal pays him a reported $10 million guaranteed with a base salary of $5 million and incentives that could boost the value to $12 million in 2024. It also includes a player option for the 2025 season.
Kershaw is expected to miss at least half of the year due to his offseason shoulder surgery, but that did not stop the Dodgers from making their interest in keeping him known.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reiterated how much Kershaw means to the franchise and how focused the Dodgers were on re-signing him, via SportsNet LA:
“We’ve said this a lot, but it feels like everything is right in the world when Kershaw is wearing Dodger Blue. So from our standpoint, it was aggressive from the beginning to let him know how important it was to us, but to give him the space for he and Ellen to figure out what makes the most sense for him and his family. We were persistent but respectful and all is well that ends well.”
Although Kershaw dealt with a left shoulder injury for roughly half of last season that caused his stuff to diminish, he was still effective and went 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 24 starts.
Now back under contract, Kershaw is becoming the longest-tenured pitcher in Dodgers franchise history with his 17th season. If he stays with the organization in 2025, Kershaw would tie Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the longest-tenured streak in franchise history.
Clayton Kershaw recovery timeline
Kershaw, who turns 36 years old on March 19, underwent surgery on November 3 to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder. The procedure was completed by Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
The future Hall of Famer revealed he is targeting a return in July or August.
The Dodgers have the luxury of affording to be patient for Kershaw to return after solidifying their rotation this offseason with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton.
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