Clayton Kershaw Returns, But Where Does He Fit in the Dodgers' Insane Rotation?

The Deal: One More Ride for Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw is officially back for his 18th season with the Dodgers, signing a one-year, $7.5 million deal with up to $8.5 million in performance bonuses. The contract was finalized on February 13, 2025, just two days after Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. TrueBlueLA

The future Hall of Famer is coming off shoulder surgery that limited him to just seven starts in 2024, but if anyone deserves a shot to go out on his own terms, it’s Kershaw.

The question now: Where does he fit in this absolutely stacked Dodgers rotation?

The Dodgers Have More Starters Than They Know What to Do With

The Dodgers don’t just have depth—they have an embarrassment of riches in their rotation. Here’s the potential starting five, not including Kershaw:

🔥 Blake Snell – Reigning Cy Young winner (2.25 ERA in 2024)
🔥 Shohei Ohtani – Back on the mound after recovering from elbow surgery
🔥 Yoshinobu Yamamoto – $325 million investment, must-see TV
🔥 Roki Sasaki – Japan’s latest ace, throws 100+ MPH with ease
🔥 Tyler Glasnow – When healthy, has Cy Young-level stuff

And that doesn’t even include:

• Bobby Miller – Young flamethrower with ace potential
• Dustin May – Filthy stuff when he’s not injured
• Tony Gonsolin – All-Star in 2022, but recovering from Tommy John
• Clayton Kershaw – The GOAT, trying to make one last impact

That’s nine legitimate starters. Nine.

So Where Does Kershaw Fit?

Kershaw might not be the Dodgers’ ace anymore, but he’s still valuable. Here’s how they could use him:

✔ Back-end starter – Less innings, but still an impact arm every 5-6 days
✔ Spot starter – Dodgers go with a six-man rotation, keeping guys fresh
✔ Postseason weapon – A well-rested Kershaw in October? Yes, please
✔ Mentor role – Helping develop Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Miller

Realistically, he won’t need to carry the load. But if he can stay healthy and eat 120-140 innings, the Dodgers’ pitching staff goes from scary to downright unfair.

Dodgers’ 2025 Pitching Strategy: Depth Overload

The Dodgers aren’t just building a rotation—they’re building a pitching factory. With Ohtani and Sasaki adjusting to MLB schedules, Glasnow’s health always in question, and May/Gonsolin returning from injuries, they’ll need every single arm.

Their approach?

✅ Mix-and-match starters – Some could be used out of the bullpen in a hybrid role
✅ Six-man rotation? – Ohtani and Sasaki might benefit from extra rest
✅ Mid-season trades? – If everyone stays healthy (unlikely), someone could be moved

This isn’t just a superteam on paper—it’s a masterclass in pitching depth.

Final Take: Kershaw’s Legacy and One Last Run

This isn’t about whether Kershaw is still an ace—it’s about one last ride with the only team he’s ever known. He’s already a Hall of Famer, but another deep postseason run with this loaded Dodgers squad could be the perfect way to cap off a legendary career.

One thing is for sure: The Dodgers aren’t just aiming to win—they’re looking to dominate.

💭 Final Thought: Can this team break 110 wins with this rotation? Because on paper, this might be one of the most loaded pitching staffs ever assembled. 🔥