Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: 'It Just Didn't Feel Like It Was the Right Time' to Retire

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw explained his decision to return to the team for the 2025 season instead of retiring.

"I don't want to be, 'I just can't do it hurt,' you know? Hopefully I can walk out on my own terms, whenever that is," Kershaw said, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "But it just didn't feel like it was the right time, even though we won. Being on the shelf for that wasn't the way that I had scripted it out. Still super thankful to be a part of it last year and get to see everything, but I want to be out there when it happens."

The 10-time All-Star signed a one-year contract worth $7.5 million to stay in Los Angeles for an 18th season.

The 36-year-old was hampered by injuries throughout the 2024 season, making just seven starts. He finished with a 2-2 record to go along with a 4.50 ERA, striking out a mere 24 batters in 30 innings of work.

Kershaw didn't make his season debut until July 25 after undergoing shoulder surgery in Nov. 2023 and his year quickly came to an end due to a bone spur in his big toe.

The Dodgers remained successful despite the uneven 2024 campaign from the three-time NL Cy Young winner, finishing with a 98-64 record and securing their second World Series victory over the past five years.

Kershaw has shown that he can still be one of the most imposing starters in the majors when healthy. In 78 combined starts from 2020-23, he compiled a 41-18 record as well as a 2.67 ERA and 0.986 WHIP.

His 2025 debut will also be delayed, as he underwent multiple surgeries to address toe and knee issues following Los Angeles' latest World Series win. Kershaw "alluded" to returning from the procedures "at some point in late May or early June," via Gonzalez.

The Dodgers made major additions to their 2025 pitching staff over the offseason, handing Blake Snell a hefty five-year contract worth $182 million and signing Japanese ace Rōki Sasaki.

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is also expected to make his return to the mound at some point during the 2025 season.

As for Kershaw, he's looking forward to bouncing back and serving as a key piece of the Dodgers rotation as they attempt to defend their championship.