When the Los Angeles Dodgers assembled what was considered one of the team’s most talented rotations in years, Clayton Kershaw wasn’t expected to be a huge part of it. With Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and the eventual return of Shohei Ohtani to the mound, the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer seemed destined for a complementary role at best.
Instead, Kershaw has emerged as one of the most reliable arms in a rotation decimated by injuries, and his 14 starts currently rank as the second-most among current team members. Only Yamamoto and the recently traded Dustin May have more.
The Long Road Back
Kershaw’s journey to becoming a key contributor in 2025 began with plenty of uncertainty. His 2024 campaign had ended after just seven starts when bone spurs in his big toe became too painful to manage, ruling him out for the team’s championship run. His offseason began with surgeries on his toe and knee, starting what would turn out to be a long road of rehabilitation.
When he finally made his season debut on May 18 against the Angels, it marked his return to a major league mound for the first time since August 30, 2024. The emotional weight of that moment wasn’t lost on the man who has spent his entire 18-year career in Dodger Blue.
“I think when you haven’t done something for a long time, and you realize that you miss it, you miss competing, you miss being a part of the team and contributing,” Kershaw reflected before his return. “There’s a lot of gratitude and gratefulness to get back to that point.”
Stepping Into the Void
What began as a welcome addition to an already stacked rotation quickly transformed into critical reinforcement for a pitching staff in crisis. The Dodgers found themselves desperately short on dependable starters when Glasnow, Snell, Sasaki and Tony Gonsolin all landed on the injured list with various ailments. Suddenly, Kershaw’s experience and reliability became crucial for holding the rotation together.
His recent performance against Max Scherzer and the Blue Jays on Friday night epitomized his current value to the Dodgers. In a matchup between two legends — both in the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club — Kershaw outdueled his former teammate and longtime rival with six solid innings and four punchouts, working around traffic to limit Toronto to just one run while his offense provided enough support for a 5-1 victory.
“Scherz was throwing the ball great,” Kershaw said after the game. “He was throwing like 96 tonight. It doesn’t look like he’s aged at all.” The mutual respect between the 37-year-old Kershaw and 40-year-old Scherzer was evident — two warriors still competing at the highest level in their 18th major league seasons.
More Than Just Numbers
While Kershaw’s 2025 numbers — a 6-2 record with a 3.14 ERA through 14 starts — are decent, his impact extends far beyond basic stats. As Tyler Glasnow noted when discussing Kershaw’s role: “He’s so much more than a starting pitcher on the team. He’s been there for so long. He’s been engrained in the fabric of the Dodgers. He’s such a huge clubhouse legend that his reach goes beyond baseball.”
In an era where player loyalty is increasingly rare, Kershaw’s continued presence in Los Angeles provides stability and veteran leadership that can’t be quantified. His willingness to accept whatever role the team needs exemplify the qualities that have made him synonymous with Dodgers baseball.
The Championship Rotation Takes Shape
As the season progresses toward October, the Dodgers’ rotation picture is finally beginning to clarify. Snell and Glasnow have finally worked their way back from injuries, Yamamoto remains healthy, and Ohtani continues to build innings. When fully assembled and healthy, this group could indeed represent one of the most formidable postseason rotations in recent memory.
But Kershaw’s presence ensures the Dodgers won’t be caught short if injuries strike again. His ability to provide quality innings, crucial veteran leadership, and October experience could prove invaluable during another championship pursuit.
Legacy Still Being Written
Each season brings renewed speculation about Kershaw’s retirement plans, with pundits and fans wondering if this year might finally be his farewell tour. Yet the competitor who has redefined Dodgers pitching for nearly two decades shows no signs of stepping away voluntarily.
While questions about retirement will always follow Kershaw, right now he’s focused on helping the Dodgers win another championship. At 37, he may not be the ace he once was, but he’s proven to be exactly what this team needed when it mattered most.