All good things have to come to an end. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 37-year-old star might have felt the same once they won the World Series without him. Making just seven starts in 2024 with a 4.50 ERA and missing the entirety of the season due to a toe injury – it was neither enough for him nor brought any good for LA. But the Dodgers’ ace didn’t want to end his career that way, just as a spectator.

Now, amid the speculations surrounding his retirement, he has made some surprising revelations.

Clayton Kershaw is finally ready to return on Saturday to face the Los Angeles Angels after missing a start since August 30, 2024, due to his toe and knee surgery.

Shedding light on what could have been the situation if only he had been able to pitch in last October, Kershaw expressed, “Yeah, if I had been able to be a part of last year’s run and win a World Series and get to go out like that, that would have been really cool.” 

Feels like his acknowledgement of his career, if only he were part of the Dodgers’ title run. However, as per Kershaw, although he wasn’t an active part of the team, it was still fun supporting them from the stands, which might have made it easier for him to make a comeback!

There was even a time in the previous offseason when Kershaw thought of retiring. The Los Angeles Dodgers were winning, and it was their second championship in the last five years. And Clayton Kershaw knew that the worrisome toe injury, that’s been affecting him for quite some time, may just make him call it quits.

“Somebody will tell me to retire at some point, I’m sure,” Kershaw further added. But not yet! He feels that he has got a lot more to give and be the “contributing factor to the Dodgers.”

“You don’t want to just be on the sidelines. So I’m excited to get back to that,” Kershaw expressed.

While the Dodgers ace addressed the retirement speculation, clearing the air about his return, Kershaw also shared that if he fails to contribute effectively, he may change his decision about continuing his career, too.

What impact can the Dodgers’ ace create with his return?

As we all know, the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup has been marred by injuries, especially with the top pitchers, like Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers have struggled to maintain a good starting rotation, as their starting pitchers have pitched only 192 1/3 innings. Way too less in the major league, especially considering the talent that LA has.

Now, in such a time of adversity, Clayton Kershaw’s comeback may be a boon for the Dodgers. “It’ll be exciting to get back out there. Unfortunately, it comes at a time when we do need some starters,” Kershaw said, hoping to do the best he can.

The presence of Clayton Kershaw not just adds to the experience in the lineup but also to the rotation’s calmness. And well, Manager Dave Roberts seems confident enough. “Clayton has worked really hard to get healthy, and the bar is high for him… He doesn’t want to just come back to be active. He wants to come back and help us win baseball games and be good.”

With the team having Tony Gonsolin, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Dustin May, Kershaw’s addition might bolster the starting rotation. Not to forget that Kershaw is on the verge of joining the coveted 3000-strikeout club, with just 32 more strikeouts to go.

Kershaw has acquired a 2.75 ERA in the five starts at the rehabilitation program, where he pitched 21 innings, allowing 12 hits and six runs with 16 strikeouts. Going beyond the stats, Kershaw is optimistic to make his presence count on the team.

Now, all eyes are on Saturday, and we cannot wait to see the Dodgers’ ace making every pitch count once again…