Free-agent left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced that he underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder Friday morning, Nov. 3, and that he is “hopeful to return to play at some point next summer.”
Kershaw, who issued the statement on Instagram, has spent his entire 16-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, with his most recent one-year contract expiring after the 2023 season. He previously said he was uncertain about playing in 2024.
A three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw posted a 13–5 record with a 2.45 ERA in 24 games (all starts) this past season.
But he dealt with diminished velocity after returning from midseason shoulder discomfort and was crushed for six runs while recording just one out in a division series start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dodgers Give INF Max Muncy Two-Year Extension
The Los Angeles Dodgers gave infielder Max Muncy a two-year, $24 million contract extension on Thursday.The deal takes Muncy through the 2025 season and includes a $10 million club option for 2026, the team said in a release.
Muncy, 33, had a $14 million pending club option for 2024 but the Dodgers decided to extend him instead.
Muncy batted .212 with a career-high-tying 36 home runs and a career-best 105 RBIs in 135 games in 2023, his sixth season with the Dodgers.
In eight MLB seasons with the Oakland Athletics (2015–16) and Los Angeles (2018–23), Muncy is a career .227 hitter with 180 home runs and 489 RBIs.
Muncy’s 175 home runs in a Dodgers uniform rank sixth in Los Angeles history, two behind Hall of Famer Mike Piazza for fifth place.
Report: Dodgers Decline RHP Lance Lynn’s $18M option
The Los Angeles Dodgers declined right-hander Lance Lynn’s $18 million option for 2024, multiple outlets reported Friday.Lynn, 36, will receive a $1 million buyout and enter free agency after going 7–2 with a 4.36 ERA in 11 starts with the Dodgers, following his trade from the Chicago White Sox.
Lynn started Game 3 in the Dodgers’ National League Division Series sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks, taking the loss after surrendering four home runs in 2 2/3 innings of a 4–2 defeat.
He was 6–9 with a 6.47 ERA in 21 starts with Chicago before being traded with right-hander Joe Kelly to Los Angeles on July 28 in exchange for outfielder Trayce Thompson and two prospects.
A two-time All-Star and 2011 World Series champion, Lynn is 136–95 with a 3.74 ERA in 341 games (317 starts) over 12 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, White Sox and Dodgers.
The Dodgers have a number of decisions to make with their starting rotation after free-agent Clayton Kershaw announced Friday he underwent a shoulder procedure. Kershaw has pitched 16 seasons with the Dodgers, the last two on one-year contracts.
Left-hander Julio Urias also is a free agent, with the Dodgers not expected to bring him back after a September arrest on domestic violence charges.
