When MLB free agency began, there was some level of expectation the Los Angeles Dodgers would extend a qualifying offer to Clayton Kershaw. However, the team instead only decided to do so with Corey Seager and Chris Taylor.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman later explained that stemmed from the organization wanting to respect Kershaw and not put any sort of timeline on the process as he recovered from a second left flexor tendon strain.
Friedman added the Dodgers’ interest in re-signing Kershaw remained high and they were hopeful the three-time Cy Young Award winner would retire after playing for just one team.
That now appears to be more of a possibility as Kershaw agreed to re-sign with the Dodgers on a one-year contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a one-year deal with left-handed starter Clayton Kershaw, sources told The Athletic. The agreement is pending a physical.
The three prevailing scenarios surrounding Kershaw throughout the lockout were he would decide from remaining with the Dodgers, joining his hometown Texas Rangers, or retire. Scott Van Slyke told DodgerBlue.com he believed Kershaw would ultimately re-sign with the Dodgers.
However, another former teammate more recently suggested a decision would be made between signing with the Rangers or retiring. After he joined the Rangers on a 10-year, $325 million contract, Seager admitted to recruiting Kershaw.
Kershaw confident in health
Despite suffering a second flexor tendon injury last year, Kershaw was encouraged that the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow still remained intact.
He treated the injury with a platelet-rich plasma injection (PRP) injection and was confident rest would also allow for a full recovery. “I’m going to rest and let it heal. I’m not going to get surgery on it or anything,” Kershaw said during the National League Division Series.
“Everybody I’ve talked to, all the doctors and everything, feel good that I’ll be good to go by Spring Training, so that’s the plan.”
During a recent appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show,” Kershaw indicated he was preparing for the start of the 2022 regular season. His comments came prior to a new collective bargaining agreement being put into place.
The new date of Opening Day is expected to be Thursday, April 7.
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