Kershaw says he's coming back next season, wants to 'give it a go'

Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw intends to pitch in 2025, he said during an interview on Monday with FOX Sports ahead of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Mets in Los Angeles.

Kershaw, 36, who has a $10 million player option for next season, was limited to seven appearances in 2024 after left shoulder surgery last year delayed his debut until July, and then a toe injury that ended his season in August. On the season, Kershaw went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 30 innings.

The three-time NL Cy Young winner and 2014 NL MVP said he's eager to get back on the mound healthy.

"Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year, [but] I want to make use of this [shoulder] surgery," he told FOX Sports. "I don't want to have surgery and then shut it down. So, I'm going to come back next year, give it a go and see how it goes."

For his career, Kershaw is 212-94 with a 2.50 ERA, which leads all active starters. His 15 career shutouts are also tops among active pitchers. Kershaw is also inching toward the 3,000-strikeout mark, having finished this season with 2,968 career strikeouts in 2,742 2/3 innings.