Kershaw inked a 1-year, $7.5 million deal, and can earn up to an additional $8.5 million in bonuses based on games started and days on the active roster.
The Dodgers made official their one-year deal for Clayton Kershaw on Thursday, signing the franchise icon to a contract that guarantees $7.5 million.
The left-hander’s return has long been expected, with Kershaw saying several times in October that he planned to return to pitch for the Dodgers in 2025. He’s been in camp at Camelback Ranch since at least Tuesday, which was the first workout day for pitchers and catchers.
Kershaw can earn up to potentially $8.5 million more in bonuses based on starts and days on the active roster, per Robert Murray of Fansided. and Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Kershaw will receive $1 million for each of 13, 14, 15, and 16 starts. He gets $2.5 million if on the active roster for 30 days, and $1 million for each of 60 and 90 days active. He was active for 37 days in 2024.
It’s a similar structure to Kershaw’s contract last year, which included a $5 million salary for 2024 and several bonuses based on games pitched. He eventually earned another $2.5 million for making seven starts.
Now the question becomes when will Kershaw be available to pitch this season, after having surgeries on both his left foot and to repair the meniscus in his knee in November. Kershaw told reporters on Thursday at Camelback Ranch that he was expecting to be ready at some point in mid-May.
Clayton Kershaw said he expects to be on the 60-day IL to start the season, but his timeline likely lines up for him to be ready once those 60 days are done.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 13, 2025
To make room for Kershaw on the 40-man roster, pitcher River Ryan was placed on the 60-day injured list.