Los Angeles Dodgers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw's new deal to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2024 season also includes an option for 2025, according to a person briefed on the negotiations. Kershaw is rehabbing from a major shoulder injury that required surgery in November and won't return until later this summer, but the option gives him a chance to spend an additional full season with the Dodgers while sharing the starting rotation with Shohei Ohtani. The 36-year-old southpaw will be put on the 60-day injured list when his deal becomes official after a physical, but the future Hall of Famer began a throwing program this week. He still has several months before he'll appear in games, but he can now return to LA in 202. Kershaw needs only 56 strikeouts to join the 3,000-strikeout club.

Free-agent left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for yet another season with the team, pending a physical, according to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. The 35-year-old continues to be a vital part of the team's rotation despite his age, as he posted a 2.46 ERA in 2023 with 1.06 walks and hits per inning pitched in 131 2/3 innings. The Dodgers' massive offseason wouldn't be complete without bringing back one of their legends. Kershaw had surgery on his left shoulder in November and won't be ready to pitch until at least the second half of 2024, but when he's ready, he's expected to join a starting rotation that now includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed free-agent relief pitcher Ryan Braiser to a two-year, $9 million contract. Brasier can earn as much as $13 million over the two seasons through incentives. Brasier latched on with the Dodgers in the 2023 season following a rough stretch with the Boston Red Sox that saw him pitch to a 7.29 ERA across 20 appearances. He would go on to dominate with the Dodgers, posting an eye-popping 0.70 ERA across 39 appearances, picking up one save in the process. Brasier has posted an ERA of 2.00 or better in parts of three big-league seasons but also posted a 5.78 ERA as recently as 2022. All told, the right-hander owns a career 3.88 ERA in 268 appearances, collecting 10 saves in that time.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen (right shoulder) is "trending toward a return," according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Injuries have been quite the obstacle for Treinen, who has pitched just five innings over the last two seasons, but it appears that he's ready to be a contributor out of the bullpen once again. The Dodgers would be thrilled to get the pre-injury version of Treinen this year. Through 72 appearances in 2021, he maintained a 1.99 ERA, 10.58 K/9, and 3.11 BB/9 while securing 32 holds and seven saves.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux (knee) "is a full-go for Spring Training," according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Lux tore his ACL last spring and missed all of the 2023 season, but he's healthy once again and is trending toward being the Dodgers' starting shortstop on Opening Day. The former first-round pick has a solid track record in the majors, including a .276/.346/.399 slash line from his last healthy season in 2022. He currently ranks 27th among second basemen (257th overall) in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.