Clayton Kershaw rejoins Dodgers on one-year deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached an agreement with starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (36) for a one-year contract, pending a physical examination, as reported by various sources.

Details regarding the financial aspects of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.

Earlier on Monday, Kershaw was observed alongside other Dodgers players prior to the official announcement of the deal.

As he embarks on his 18th season, all with the Dodgers, Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer, had previously disclosed that he underwent foot and knee surgeries late last year but intends to make a return this season.

His addition will bolster the Dodgers' already impressive starting rotation, which features multiple Cy Young award winners and exceptional young talents, including Japanese prospects Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Kershaw is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished starting pitchers of his era, boasting an NL MVP award, three Cy Young awards, five ERA titles, a Gold Glove, a Roberto Clemente award, a Triple Crown, and two World Series championships (2020, 2024).

He currently ranks 21st on the all-time strikeouts leaderboard with 2,968, needing just 12 more to surpass former Dodgers teammate Zack Greinke. Notably, nearly all pitchers in the top 20 are either enshrined in the Hall of Fame or are expected to be upon retirement.

The Dodgers are coming off a World Series victory and have had a free agency period that has led many to assert that they have significantly strengthened their roster. Los Angeles is considered the frontrunner to win the World Series in the upcoming season.