Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw on 2024 Season: ‘I Expect to Be Good’
The Los Angeles Dodgers did what many around the team hoped they would do when they signed their veteran ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. He signed back with the Boys in Blue on a one-year deal with a player option for the 2025 season.
After signing his new deal, the 35-year-old caught up with the media and said he expects nothing less from himself when he returns to the mound despite the injury.
“I expect to be good,” Kershaw said. “I’ve said it before, I don’t want to be average. I don’t want to just pitch to pitch. I wanna be good. I wanna contribute and be part of this. So yeah, my expectations are no concessions. Just be good.”
Via Dodgers Nation YouTube Channel
The 10-time All-Star is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and is set to miss at least the first half of the season.
The shoulder injury hurt him down the stretch of the 2023 season, especially in his Game 1 performance in the NLDS.
The Kershaw we saw in October 2023 was not what we saw from him all year, though. Before struggling with injury, Kershaw was as great as he’d been, sporting a 2.46 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts over 131.2 innings.
It’s uncertain whether Kershaw’s aging body will be able to produce at a high level. However, we’ll be the last to count out the future Hall of Famer. When he returns, there will be no pressure on him to produce , considering the loaded rotation L.A. has at its disposal. Still, Kershaw expects to be the same Kershaw that has made him a household name over the last 16 seasons.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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My two cents is that Kershaw is a great pitcher and he can produce the strike outs on the best hitters when needed but they just can’t overplay him and wear him out, and thus injure him. He shouldn’t be a starter, but a closer. Or use him and put him in when needed like if someone else is having an off day, he can fill the gaps. But don’t try to use him for 8 innings every game or they will wear him out. But when he’s healthy, he can really control the ball, strike the best batters out, and make those plays. I think he’s a solid investment. Just sayin…