Clayton Kershaw is back for his 18th season with the Dodgers!

A one-year deal worth $7.5 million, including bonuses for being on the roster and for games started.

By: Angela Redding | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Beat magazine | February 13, 2025
Photos: Diana Castro/Hollywood Beat magazine | Dodgers World Series Logo courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers

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Clayton Kershaw, a 10-time All-Star and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, has agreed to a one-year contract worth $7.5 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher River Ryan on the 60-day injured list in order to make room for Kershaw on their 40-man roster.

At 36, Kershaw is returning for his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most seasons in team history.

He now joins Russell, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1969 to 1986, as the second player in the team’s history to play for more than 18 seasons.

In addition to being the only player presently playing for the same team, Kershaw is the 59th player in Major League Baseball history to have played for the same team for 18 or more seasons.

Dodgers-Jackie-Robinson-DayEvent-Kershaw — ^{Clayton Kershaw at the Dodgers Jackie Robinson Day Event 2024. (Credit: Diana Castro/Hollywood Beat magazine)}

Kershaw had a 4.50 ERA during seven games in the previous season, with a record of two wins and two losses.

Unfortunately, he ended the season on the 60-day disabled list after being forced to cease playing due to a toe injury. Kershaw now has 2,968 career strikeouts, placing him in the top 20 in Major League history.

He was able to strike out 24 batters in 30 innings, bringing him closer to his former colleague Zack Greinke, who has 2,979 strikeouts.

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Kershaw rated second in victories in team history

The left-handed pitcher has a stellar record of 212 wins and 94 loses in his 17 years with the Los Angeles organization. He has an earned run average (ERA) of 2.50 and a WHIP of 1.01.

He leads the team in ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP and is rated second in victories in team history.

He will only become the sixth player in history to strike out 3,000 hitters with a single franchise if he does so with the Dodgers. John Smoltz, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, and Walter Johnson are the others.

He won the Cy Young Award three times and was voted National League MVP in 2014

In addition to winning the Cy Young Award three times in 2011, 2013, and 2014, he was voted the National League MVP in 2014. Following his graduation from Highland Park High School in Texas, he was selected by the Dodgers with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 First Year Player Draft.