Kershaw intends to pitch in 2025: 'My arm feels great'
Clayton Kershaw announced Monday that he will return in 2025 after a foot injury prematurely ended his 17th MLB season.
"Mentally, I feel great. I had shoulder surgery last offseason, and my shoulder and elbow, everything, my arm, feels great," he said, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
Kershaw, who's struggled to stay healthy in recent years, didn't make his 2024 debut until late July. He spent the first four months of the campaign rehabbing from the shoulder procedure.
The 36-year-old posted a 4.50 ERA across seven starts before landing on the IL with a toe injury that shut him down for the remainder of the 2024 campaign, including the playoffs.
"Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year," Kershaw added. "But I want to make use of this surgery. I don't want to have surgery and shut it down. So I'm gonna come back next year and give it a go and see how it goes."
Kershaw has a player option for 2025 as part of the two-year deal he signed with L.A. last offseason.
The legendary lefty is just 32 strikeouts shy of 3,000 for his MLB tenure.
Kershaw has won a World Series, one MVP, three Cy Young Awards, and five ERA titles during his 17 years in the majors, all spent with the Dodgers.
His career 2.50 ERA is the best among active pitchers.