LOS ANGELES – Clayton Kershaw’s Hall of Fame career will continue in Dodger blue.
The Dodgers have reached agreement on a contract with the unsigned free agent which will allow Kershaw to rejoin the team when he has recovered from shoulder surgery performed in November. The 35-year-old left-hander is not expected to pitch again until some time after the All-Star break.
The contract will not become official until later in the week after Kershaw completes his physical. The Dodgers can place players on the 60-day Injured List beginning Thursday, allowing them to add Kershaw without clearing a spot on the 40-man roster.
This would be Kershaw’s 17th season with the Dodgers. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has a 210-92 career record with a 2.48 ERA and franchise-record 2,944 strikeouts.
Last season, Kershaw went 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA in 24 starts. Plagued by back injuries in recent seasons, he missed five weeks in July and August with a shoulder injury this time. He returned to pitch in August and September but was pitching with diminished velocity and struggled in his one postseason start, retiring just one batter and allowing six runs in a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In November, Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed surgery to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in Kershaw’s pitching shoulder. At the time, Kershaw posted on Instagram that he hoped to pitch again “at some point next summer.”
The Dodgers remained in contact with Kershaw following his surgery with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman saying the team “absolutely” would welcome Kershaw back when he is healthy.
“We are very respectful of Clayton and Ellen’s decision and giving them the time and space to make the best decision for their family,” Friedman said. “But selfishly, we hope it’s to continue and finish his career in Dodger blue.”
Kershaw has signed one-year contracts with the Dodgers before each of the past two seasons, giving…
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