Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has missed the entire 2024 MLB season to date as he slowly works his way back from shoulder surgery. Fortunately, there’s positive Dodgers news on when the future Hall of Famer could return to the mound at Dodger Stadium.
Following shoulder surgery that the team knew would sideline him for half the 2024 season, Los Angeles re-signed Kershaw in February. The 36-year-old southpaw agreed to a two-year deal worth $10 million total, but he could earn a lot more in incentives.
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- Clayton Kershaw contract: $5 million salary in 2024, $5 million player option for 2025
When Los Angeles re-signed Kershaw this offseason, it structured his contract with a majority of the money tied to how much he played in 2024. Under the deal, Kershaw will receive a $1 million bonus for making 6 starts, $1.5 million for starts 7, 8 and 9 and he could earn another $2 million if he reaches 10 starts.
Clayton Kershaw contract incentives
- 6 starts: $1 million
- 7/8/9 starts: $1.5 million per
- 10 starts: $2 million
- 6 starts: $2 million added to ’25 salary
- 7/8/9 starts: $3 million per added to ’25
- 10 starts: $4 million added to ’25 salary
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The 6-foot-4 lefty is now a lot closer to potentially earning some of those incentives. Before the Dodgers vs Yankees series, manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Kershaw threw a two-inning simulated game this past week with Rancho Cucamonga.
- Clayton Kershaw stats (career): 2,944 strikeouts, 2.47 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 210-92 record in 2,712.2 innings pitched
Kershaw touched 90 mph in the simulated game, putting him just a few ticks off his average velocity (90.8 mph) in the last two seasons. With no setbacks following the throwing session, Kershaw will throw another simulated game in the coming days.
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While Kershaw still isn’t ready to begin a rehab stint in the minor leagues, the uptick in velocity is an improvement over his first throwing session (88 mph max velocity). While there’s no official timetable for when Kershaw will return to the mound at Dodger Stadium, a few more simulated games with an increased workload should get him back onto the Dodgers roster after the All-Star Break.