The Los Angeles Dodgers made the re-signing of Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract official on Sunday, which coincided with the mandatory report date for the start of Spring Training.
Kershaw reportedly will earn a $17 million salary for the 2022 season, but his deal is said to include incentives as well. The left-hander earned $31 million last year as part of a three-year, $93 million contract extension signed after the 2018 season.
This offseason marked the first time in Kershaw’s career he became a free agent. In 2014, he signed a seven-year contract extension that included an opt-out clause after the 2018 campaign.
Kershaw, who will turn 34 years old on March 19, went 10-8 with a 3.55 ERA over 22 starts last season. He missed two months due to a left flexor tendon strain that then ended Kershaw’s season in what was his final start before the playoffs.
Despite suffering the forearm injury for a second time, Kershaw and the Dodgers were encouraged it did not entail a damaged ulnar collateral ligament. He expressed confidence a platelet-rich plasma injection (PRP) injection and time off would 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.”
Kershaw heads into the 2022 regular season needing just 27 strikeouts to pass Don Sutton for the Dodgers all-time leader. Among active players, Kershaw is ranked fourth in strikeouts, trailing Max Scherzer (3,020), Justin Verlander (3,013) and Zack Grienke (2,809).
Kershaw health update
With a condensed few weeks ahead, the initial indication is Kershaw already is not tracking with his normal Spring Training buildup. The three-time Cy Young Award winner or Dodgers have not publicly addressed the matter.
Dodgers 40-man roster outlook
The Dodgers came out of the MLB lockout with a full 40-man roster but did not require a corresponding move in order to sign Kershaw because MLB placed Trevor Bauer on administrative leave through March 19.
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