Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander announced recently that he plans to continue his legendary career on the diamond in 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw confirmed on Monday that he isn’t ready to retire either.
“Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year. But I want to make use of this surgery. I don’t want to have surgery and shut it down. So I’m gonna come back next year and give it a go and see how it goes,” the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said.
Kershaw told the Fox Sports MLB pregame show, “Mentally, I feel great. I had shoulder surgery last offseason, and my shoulder and elbow, everything, my arm, feels great.”
The southpaw has a player option for 2025 after re-signing with the Dodgers in February.
Kershaw had an injury-riddled 2024 campaign and has been ruled out for the rest of the postseason due to a toe injury.
The 36-year-old was limited to career lows in games (seven) and innings pitched (30) among a host of other categories. Kershaw went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA after making his ninth and 10th NL All-Star teams in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
He didn’t make his 2024 debut until July 25 and didn’t take the mound after Aug. 30.
If things go according to plan for Kershaw and Verlander, both of the 21st-century starting pitching legends will be back for at least one more go-around in 2025.
