Will Clayton Kershaw return to the Dodgers? Most likely

Clayton Kershaw invested his ultimate minutes in a Dodgers uniform in 2022 with a bottle of Pacifico in his hand Saturday night. Although his teammates showered and improved, scrambling to depart Petco Park, he remained in his gray baseball trousers and a Dodgers hoodie. He wore his cap backwards. He was not in a rush to leave immediately after the Dodgers’ time-ending loss to the San Diego Padres.

No matter if he’ll at any time wear the uniform yet again is just one of the numerous story strains that will condition the Dodgers’ offseason. As of late Saturday, it seems as however Kershaw, a cost-free agent this winter, will return.

“I assume so,” Kershaw, 34, reported when questioned about if he will participate in up coming year. “We’ll see what takes place. Heading dwelling and staying all-around and becoming a complete-time father improvements your perspective on factors, but, as of correct now, I will say I’ll enjoy again.”

Kershaw was significantly less selected about his potential a yr ago. Final Oct, he was working with a main elbow injuries. He wasn’t positive how balanced he’d be to pitch in 2022. Then there was the prospect of signing with his hometown Texas Rangers — a very genuine chance he regarded.

Eventually, Kershaw was explained to he’d be prepared for the start off of the period and selected to re-sign with the Dodgers. He formally signed a 1-12 months agreement truly worth $17 million as well as incentives the working day following the lockout finished in March.

He then proceeded to log 7 excellent innings with 13 strikeouts in his time-opening get started in opposition to the Minnesota Twins. He made his ninth All-Star Video game, starting off for the Countrywide League at Dodger Stadium, and was a person of the greatest pitchers in the majors when healthful.

Two back again injuries, nonetheless, landed him on the wounded checklist twice for a month each individual, limiting him to 126 1/3 innings over 22 starts through the normal period. The 2nd stint commenced in August, supplying him plenty of to return at the beginning of September and prepare for the postseason.

He yielded three operates and 6 hits about 5 innings in Match 2 of the NLDS versus the Padres, and was ready to pitch out of the bullpen in a winner-take-all Recreation 5 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. But that recreation isn’t taking place. The Dodgers’ period is above, another Oct ending in bitter disappointment. But Kershaw’s job in Los Angeles does not appear to be.