Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Still 'in Touch' amid MLB Free Agency, GM Brandon Gomes Says

The Los Angeles Dodgers are "for sure" continuing talks with free agent pitcher Clayton Kershaw, according to general manager Brandon Gomes.

"We continue to stay in touch with Clayton, and we'll progress," Gomes told reporters Saturday, per MLB.com's Juan Toribio.

Kershaw has spent his entire 16-season career with the Dodgers, but has also received interest from his hometown Texas Rangers.

The left-handed pitcher underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder in November and will not be available for the start of the 2024 season.

It is believed that Kershaw will sign with either the Dodgers or the Rangers prior to the start of the 2024 season "in order to work with a training staff," Toribio wrote.

Kershaw earned his 10th career All-Star nomination with a strong start to the 2023 season, in which he recorded a 2.55 ERA and 105:24 K/BB ratio over 16 starts and 95.1 innings pitched.

Then the Dodgers pitcher was sidelined for six weeks by a shoulder injury. He played only limited innings after rejoining the roster on Aug. 10.

Kershaw's season finished with him being pulled in less than one inning for the first time in his career during Game 1 of the NL Division Series. He allowed six runs and recorded just one out in a start that turned into an 11-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This spring marks the third offseason in a row where Kershaw has tested the free agent market. In both 2022 and 2023 the pitcher ended up signing one-year deals to remain with the Dodgers.

This year Kershaw's return is in question due to his uncertain status— he said on Instagram immediately after undergoing surgery that he is "hopeful to return to play at some point next summer"— and the Rangers' proximity to his hometown of Dallas, Texas.

Although the Rangers are already facing some uncertainty in their pitching rotation after announcing that 2023 trade deadline acquisition Max Scherzer underwent back surgery on a herniated disc and won't be available until at least June, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported in December that the defending champions are still "continuing their pursuit" of Kershaw.

Apparently, so are the Dodgers.