Several Los Angeles Dodgers free agents are still available on the open market as the majority of teams have been reluctant to spend, and Clayton Kershaw is technically among that group.
Early into free agency, Kershaw made it clear his only plan for 2025 was to pitch for the Dodgers. That remained the case even after declining a player option for this season.
Although Kershaw’s future is effectively set and merely a matter of signing a new contract with the Dodgers, his offseason has again included recovering from surgery.
After failing to come back for the postseason, Kershaw underwent surgeries on his left foot and knee.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery on Kershaw’s knee, and Dr. Kenneth Jung operated on his foot. The procedures were necessary to address a bone spur in Kershaw’s toe and torn meniscus in his left knee.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said this week Kershaw re-signing is in the team’s plans and that the veteran was already in the midst of a throwing program. What Kershaw has not yet advanced to, however, is pitching off a mound.
Kershaw went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 3.53 FIP and 1.50 WHIP in just seven starts last year. His season was cut short because of the bone spur injury. It’s not known when the 36-year-old suffered the meniscus tear.
Clayton Kershaw helped Dodgers recruit Roki Sasaki
Even though Kershaw is a free agent, he joined the Dodgers’ recruiting efforts to sign Roki Sasaki. Kershaw was among the players who recorded a video about his experience with the franchise, which was played for Sasaki during his second meeting with the Dodgers.
That took place over a sushi dinner made by a private chef inside the Bel Air home of owner Peter Guber. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman were among those in attendance.
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