The Dodgers have agreed to a deal with lefty Clayton Kershaw, welcoming home their long-standing franchise ace.

Kershaw is scheduled to make his major league club return for the 17th time, but he won't be ready to play until maybe the summer of next year, after having surgery on his left shoulder following the Dodgers' NLDS loss to the D-backs.

A three-time winner of the Cy Young Award, a 10-time All-Star, a former NL MVP, and a World Series champ, Clayton Kershaw is one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball. With at least 1,000 innings pitched, he has a lifetime ERA of 2.48 and a 157 ERA+, which places him second in AL/NL history. 

Kershaw has won some postseason fame, despite his inconsistent postseason play, which most recently included giving up six runs with only one out in Game 1 of the NLDS against Arizona. With a 2.93 ERA over five starts in the 2020 postseason, the left-handed pitcher was an important part in Los Angeles' run for the World Series championship.

After being chosen seventh overall by the Dodgers in the 2006 MLB Draft, Clayton Kershaw has been a part of Los Angeles for his whole career. He made his debut in 2008 and helped lead one of the most successful moments in the team's history. The Dodgers have advanced to the postseason every year for the last 11 years with Kershaw at the head of their rotation. During that time, they have won three NL pennants and 10 NL West championships.

From 2011 to 2017, Kershaw was at the peak of his career, making the All-Star team and earning a spot on the NL Cy Young ballot five times out of seven. In that time, Kershaw was 118-41 with a 2.10 ERA (179 ERA+), 0.91 WHIP, and 5.74 K/BB ratio over 207 starts.

Despite injuries and decreased velocity over the past few years, Kershaw has maintained his high level of performance. Since 2018, he has made 133 appearances and has a record of 66-28, 2.77 ERA (149 ERA+), 1.01 WHIP, and 5.09 K/BB ratio. 

Most likely, Kershaw will start the season on the 60-day injured list. It's uncertain when exactly he will be able to throw again, which could mean that a two-year contract is being discussed. It makes sense for the Dodgers to add a second year to Kershaw's contract if they decide he might not be able to pitch in 2024 in order to give him time to heal.