Longtime face of the Dodgers franchise and future Hall of Famer is making his 2025 season debut against the Angels this evening, and ahead of the start of his 18th season in the majors the veteran spoke to about his drive to continue his playing career. I dont really understand that question, Kershaw said, as relayed by Ardaya, when asked why hes continuing his career. People ask me that. Why not just ride off into the sunset? Im 37. I have a long time ahead of me. Baseball is fun. So why not? As of today, thats my answer, yeah. Kershaw, of course, has flirted with the po sibility of retirement from time to time over the years. After winning a second World Series championship with the Dodgers last year and being forced to end his season in August due to injuries that eventually required surgery on his left plantar plate and to repair a torn left meniscus over the winter. Hes been rehabbing ever since, and enters this year playing on a one-year deal that guarantees him just $ Gerson Garabito Jersey 7.5MM, although incentives based on starts made and time on the active roster could bring that total up to $15MM by the end of the season depending on his health. The southpaw is already a slam-dunk Hall of Famer and one of the greatest pitchers of the 21st century, but there are some career milestones left for him to conquer. For one thing, hes 32 strikeouts away from being the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 for his career. The 257 1/3 innings hed still need in order to join the 3,000 innings club isnt a goal he can reach this season, but after pitching 258 innings total in 2022 and 23 its not hard to imagine him reaching that milestone before his 40th birthday should he decide to continue his career for that long. One other motivator for Kershaw could be that neither of his World Series rings have come with the full experience: the Dodgers couldnt hold a parade in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Kershaw was not on the field with his teammates for their championship last year due to injuries. Kershaw confirmed that his inability to participate down the stretch last year was a source of frustration. Nobody wants to just sit around, Kershaw said, as relayed by Ardaya. I want to pitch, and contribute, and be a part of it. Last year was difficult. Obviously, fun to at least be a part of it and see us win and things like that. You always want to be a part of a great team. Thats what Im trying to do. More from around the Dodgers The Los Angeles lineup has been a bit battered in recent weeks with both and both on the injured list. Fortunately, manager Dave Roberts told reporters ( ) yesterday that the club may not be without those bats for very long. Edman is expected to be activated for tomorrows series finale against the Angels, while Hernandez is currently on a brief rehab a signment but could be active as soon as this coming Monday against the Diamondbacks. Edmans 122 wRC+ and versatility have been sorely mi sed since he went on the IL at the end of April, while Hernandezs .315/.333/.600 slash line prior to hitting the shelf with a groin strain on May 6 trailed only and on the team. Speaking of Ohtani, writes that his latest bullpen saw him throw 50 pitches split between two 25-pitch innings during an up-and-down se sion. Plunkett adds that its the most pitches hes thrown in a single se sion during his recovery from Tommy John surgery. That could mean that progre sing to facing live hitters is coming soon, though Plunkett did note that the two-way phenom still has yet to throw any breaking pitches. Even with this progre s in his rehab, the reigning NL MVP shouldnt be expected back on a big league mound until the second half of the season. Lenny Randle Jersey