Clayton

Kershaw

The 36-year-old southpaw also noted that the timeline would line up perfectly for when he expects to be ready to join the Dodgers’ rotation in late May. The Dodgers have a wealth of riches at their disposal and are already planning to begin the season utilizing a six-man rotation, so they can afford to wait until Kershaw is ready to contribute. When he’s healthy enough to take the mound, Kershaw has always been a viable fantasy contributor. It is unlikely that the 2025 season is going to be any different on that front.

The signing was rumored earlier this week and is now official. The deal includes $1 million bonuses each for 13, 14, 15, and 16 games started. It also includes $2.5 million for 30 days on the active roster, $1 million for 60 days on the active roster, and $1 million for 90 days on the active roster, so the deal could get much larger if Kershaw can remain healthy. Still, the nature of the deal suggests that Kershaw is not expected to come near a full workload, which makes him an incredibly risky fantasy asset.

Harris notes that the deal isn’t done yet and Kershaw still needs to complete a physical, but he’s playing catch at the Dodgers’ facility in Arizona and will reportedly play catch today. The question is now where the Hall of Famer fits in their rotation and when he’ll be ready to pitch in 2025. It’s hard to recommend Kershaw as a fantasy option this summer.

More importantly — or at least equally as important — Gomes said that the team remains in contact about a possible reunion. Kershaw declined his $5 million player option at the end of the 2024 campaign, but the only question is whether he’ll retire or spend at least one more season as a member of the Dodgers. It’s hard to imagine he’ll help as a fantasy contributor even if the Hall of Famer returns in 2025.

Kershaw has spent his entire 17-year career with the Dodgers and recently indicated that he hopes to somehow return to Los Angeles next season. It’ll have to be on a new deal as the 36-year-old future Hall of Fame southpaw hits the open market after undergoing surgery on both his left foot and left knee. The most likely outcome here is that Kershaw ultimately returns to the Dodgers, but his days as a fantasy-relevant impact contributor are pretty much over.

Kershaw’s foot surgery will address his toe and the knee surgery will repair his torn meniscus. The left-hander who turns 37 before Opening Day 2025 said he would be back next year, though there is no timetable for his exact return.

Kershaw has weighed retirement before, but he didn’t have to think too hard about it this time around, apparently. The three-time Cy Young Award winner can become a free agent this winter or accept his player option with the Dodgers, which guarantees him $7.5 million with a chance to earn an additional $15 million next season.

“Where he’s at right now, physically, the foot, the toe, just is not cooperating,” Roberts said. “It’s actually getting worse. Yeah, this is it for Clayton for 2024.’' Kershaw was limited to just seven starts and 30 innings because of injuries, and he forged a 4.50 ERA and 24/9 K/BB in his seven starts. He should be back in 2025, but there’s more risk than reward in the future Hall of Famer’s profile.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier this week that Kershaw was in a “holding pattern.” Kershaw explained that he can’t throw normally until his toe is close to completely healed. He’s still trying to come back this year. While Kershaw’s toe is progressing, it feels more and more like an uphill battle for him with every update.

Kershaw’s progression has stalled. Roberts mentioned he’s still dealing with stuff involving the toe and his body, but said he’d let the 36-year-old left-hander address the situation himself. The updates we have on Kershaw from Roberts continue to be ominous regarding a potential return.