Clayton Kershaw Rejoins Dodgers for 18th Season on Incentive-Laden Deal

The three-time Cy Young winner signs a $7.5 million one-year contract with bonuses that could more than double its value.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-signed Clayton Kershaw to a one-year, $7.5 million contract with up to $8.5 million in performance-based bonuses.
Kershaw, 36, is set to begin his 18th season with the Dodgers but will likely start the year on the injured list as he recovers from offseason foot and knee surgeries.
The deal includes $1 million bonuses for reaching 13, 14, 15, and 16 starts, as well as bonuses for spending 30, 60, and 90 days on the active roster.
Kershaw pitched only 30 innings in 2024 due to injuries but remains a key figure in the Dodgers' rotation, which features new additions like Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
With a career 2.50 ERA and 2,968 strikeouts, Kershaw is approaching significant milestones, including becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts.