The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw will return from injury in 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw won't suit up for the Los Angeles Dodgers this postseason, but he plans to return to the mound in 2025.

Before the Dodgers' game against the New York Mets in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, Kershaw joined Fox's pregame coverage and confirmed that this season will not be the end of his storied career.

“Mentally I’m doing great. I had shoulder surgery last offseason and my shoulder and my elbow, everything, my arm, feels great,” he said. “Obviously I've had some bad luck with my foot this year, but I want to take advantage of this operation. I don't want to have surgery and cancel it. So I’ll come back next year and try it and see how it goes.”

Kershaw has a player option with Los Angeles for 2025 and Monday's announcement all but guarantees he will pick up that option.

Shortly before the start of the playoffs, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Kershaw would miss the remainder of the season with a toe injury. He last threw a pitch on August 30, when he lasted just one inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks before leaving the game because of a bone spur in his left big toe.

The 36-year-old veteran had pitched and tried to stay active so he could be available for the postseason, but the team ultimately decided to shut him down. Roberts said the injury was “actually getting worse.” Kershaw previously said surgery was “definitely under discussion,” but no plans were announced.

It's been an injury-filled season for the three-time Cy Young winner, who signed a one-year contract before the season with the team where he has spent his entire big league career. He underwent surgery in November to repair a capsular tear in his left shoulder and did not make his first appearance of the season until July 25. This season, he pitched 30 innings in seven starts with a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA. the highest of his 17-year career.

The future Hall of Famer has spent his entire big league career in Los Angeles, first appearing for the Dodgers in 2008. Kershaw is the 2014 NL MVP and 10-time All-Star and is the active leader in MLB with a 2.50 career ERA.

He also has a chance to reach 3,000 career strikeouts next season, which would make him the 20th player to do so.

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