Pitcher Clayton Kershaw is doing “really well” five weeks after he underwent shoulder surgery, but he has been undecided whether he’ll sign another contract with the Dodgers.
The career Dodger told AM 570 LA Sports this week that he was still figuring out his next step and talking things over with his wife, Ellen, about where he’d play next season.
Kershaw has remained in Los Angeles the past two seasons on back-to-back one-year contracts.
Kershaw, 35, has spent all 16 years of his MLB career with the Dodgers and said during the radio appearance that he has the support of his family to continue to play.
It’s unclear when he might sign a new deal, but the Dodgers have expressed interest in keeping the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner around.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said last month, according to ESPN, that the Dodgers want Kershaw to return to Hollywood and “the ball is squarely in [the Kershaws’] court.”
The veteran pitcher had undergone surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and his shoulder capsule back on Nov. 3, an issue that Kershaw was dealing with as he tried to pitch in Game 1 NLDS against the Diamondbacks.
Kershaw surrendered six runs and couldn’t escape the first inning in the series, which Arizona swept en route to a World Series appearance.
The outing clearly stuck with Kershaw as he’s eyed playing in 2024.
“I think the competitor in me doesn’t want it to end the way it did,” he said, according to The Associated Press. “I want to win. I want to win another World Series. I think that all played into it.”
As for his recovery things have seemed to go well in the lefty’s mind and expressed confidence he’d be able to pitch again next summer.
“I think I’m doing really well,” Kershaw said. “I don’t have a lot to compare it to. I’ve never had surgery before, but I really do feel great, all things considered.”
The Dodgers should look more appealing to return to for Kershaw after they signed the biggest name on the open market Shohei Ohtani last weekend.
Los Angeles is also reported to be suitors for coveted Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Kershaw called the addition of Ohtani “great for the Dodgers” and described the two-way star as a “unique talent.”
“I don’t think there’s anybody like him and once he starts pitching again everybody wants to watch it. You know, I want to watch it,” Kershaw said.