Thu Oct 17 02:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Kershaw to Return for 18th Season with Dodgers

**LOS ANGELES** – Despite a season marred by injury, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has announced his intention to return for the 2025 season. The 36-year-old pitcher, sidelined with bone spurs in his left big toe, plans to use his off-season surgery to prepare for another year in the MLB.

“I had some bad luck with my toe this year, but I want to make the most of this surgery,” Kershaw told Fox before Game 2 of the NLCS. “I don’t want to just shut it down after the surgery. So, I’m going to come back next year and give it a go. See how it goes.”

Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and former NL MVP, missed the Dodgers’ postseason due to the injury. The 10-time All-Star appeared in only seven games during the regular season, posting a 2-2 record with a 4.50 ERA.

While his 2024 season was cut short, Kershaw has confirmed that his arm is healthy, “My shoulder, elbow, everything feels great.”

The veteran pitcher’s decision to return for an 18th season comes after a challenging year that included shoulder surgery in the off-season, delaying his 2024 debut until July 25th.

Kershaw, who turns 37 in March, is second on the Dodgers’ all-time wins list with 212 and holds the franchise record for strikeouts with 2,968. He sits just 32 strikeouts shy of the coveted 3,000 mark.

His contract includes a player option for 2025 at a base value of $5 million, with additional incentives that could potentially earn him an extra $20 million.

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