Whereas their newest transfer might not end in as many wins because the additions of two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, beginning pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and power-hitting outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, Tuesday’s information on franchise icon Clayton Kershaw is certain to make Dodgers followers completely happy.
As a result of Kershaw’s shoulder surgery occurred so early within the offseason, his harm may find yourself being a blessing in disguise for Los Angeles.
Although the southpaw is coming into his age-36 season and has 1000’s of innings on his arm, asking the longer term Corridor of Famer for nearer to 100 innings is much more affordable than 200 frames. With the staff’s roster flexibility and already-loaded group, the Dodgers can hope that they are in an excellent place for one more pennant run by the point Kershaw returns.
That is the second straight winter the place the three-time NL Cy Younger Award winner’s future not solely in Los Angeles however on a baseball diamond, was unknown.
Kershaw and the Dodgers signed a one-year, $20M in December 2022, a deal that included a $5M signing bonus.
The ten-time All-Star opened the common season in the course of the Los Angeles beginning rotation however later missed all of July together with his shoulder subject. Final season was the eighth straight 12 months through which Kershaw had a stint on the injured record.
The previous NL MVP was stable when wholesome, registering a 13-5 document with a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP throughout 24 begins protecting 131 2/3 innings.
Kershaw faltered within the postseason but once more, nevertheless, turning within the worst outing of his profession in Sport 1 of the NLDS towards the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw completed his begin permitting six runs (all earned), together with a house run, whereas strolling one and recording no strikeouts. He received just one out and was faraway from his begin within the prime of the primary.
For a lot of the winter, it regarded like that was maybe going to be Kershaw’s ultimate MLB recreation, however now it seems like he might get an opportunity for redemption in 2024.