An already-successful offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been added onto with Clayton Kershaw agreeing to return for his 17th season with the team.
Kershaw reported to Camelback Ranch on Thursday alongside other Dodgers pitchers and catchers for the start of 2024 Spring Training. He reportedly agreed to a one-year contract that includes a player option for 2025.
Kershaw’s new contract with the Dodgers has not yet been made official, but he spoke with reporters about returning to the team and other topics.
Included in that was the longtime ace revealing he hopes to return at some point during July or August, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Hello from Glendale, where Clayton Kershaw just talked to reporters about re-signing with the Dodgers
He didn't want to give a firm timeline for his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, but said he is targeting a "July-ish, August-ish" window to return pic.twitter.com/ODKpj7FaZQ
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) February 8, 2024
Kershaw pitched through a left shoulder injury during the second half of the 2023 season, which he and the Dodgers declined to provide many specifics on. Manager Dave Roberts only went so far as to state Kershaw would not return to full health last year.
Soon after the Dodgers were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series, Kershaw revealed he underwent surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder.
At the time of revealing his procedure, Kershaw wrote on Instagram he planned to return during the middle of the 2024 season. He since has said the early stages of the recovery process were going well and the soon-to-be-36-year-old recently started a throwing program.
Tyler Glasnow watched Clayton Kershaw
During his first time speaking with media after being traded to the Dodgers, Tyler Glasnow revealed Kershaw was one of his favorite players to watch when growing up in Santa Clarita.
Now the two will get to be part of the same starting rotation for at least a portion of the 2024 season and possibly next year as well.
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