TL;DR - Scouting Report
Clayton Kershaw is returning for his 18th season with the Dodgers in 2025, chasing 3,000 career strikeouts. After surgeries, he’s set to rejoin the team around June, adding depth to a stacked rotation featuring Snell, Yamamoto, and Glasnow. Can he make history?
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!Clayton Kershaw isn’t done yet. Despite whispers of retirement, the legendary Dodgers left-hander is set to return for his 18th season, inching closer to baseball immortality as he chases 3,000 career strikeouts.
Clayton Kershaw’s Road to 3,000 Strikeouts
Could you imagine Clayton Kershaw wearing a different uniform?
Neither could the Dodgers. Kershaw, arguably one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year deal to return to pitch in Los Angeles for his 18th season.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, whose contract is pending a physical, was at the Dodgers’ Spring Training site at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona Tuesday afternoon.
Kershaw, who turns 37 in March, is expected to be guaranteed anywhere between $5 million and $10 million for the 2025 season, a source told ESPN. It is expected that his contract will include performance bonuses.
After undergoing foot and knee surgeries in November, Kershaw is expected to return to the Dodgers around June.
He pitched in only seven games last season, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.500 WHIP and posted a 7.2 K/9 in 30 innings pitched. His 10.8 H/9 was well above his career average of 6.9.
Despite rumors that Kershaw might retire, the southpaw seemed likely to return as he sits just 32 strikeouts away from becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 in his career. Former Dodger and Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer was the 19th pitcher to pass that mark.
Dodgers’ 2025 Rotation: A New Era of Dominance
The Dodgers are expected to enter the 2025 season with a starting rotation featuring some combination of pitchers including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May. Shohei Ohtani is expected to enter the rotation around May.
What’s Left for Kershaw to Prove?
Kershaw’s role may be his most comfortable yet in his career. He offers Dodgers manager Dave Roberts an additional arm to provide depth; this after years of a short rotation due to injuries.
It also allows for Kershaw to be on a limited pitch count.
ZiPS projects Kershaw to go 7-4 with a 3.71 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 8.4 K/9 in 85 innings. That would net him 79 strikeouts, enough to surpass 3,000.
Kershaw is 212-94 with a 2.50 ERA in 432 games. He leads all active pitchers with 15 career shutouts.
Your Turn: Do you think Clayton Kershaw can reach 3,000 strikeouts in 2025? Share your thoughts below in the comments and don’t forget to share this article with other Dodger fans!
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