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The decision is partly a matter of comfort, with Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto accustomed to pitching essentially once a week dating back to their time in Japan. It also factored prominently, the Dodgers believe, into their ability to land phenom Roki Sasaki this winter — like his countrymen, Sasaki is used to pitching on a once-per-week schedule.

The Dodgers are hopeful that the real challenge for Shohei Ohtani this year won't be about his health, but rather his process of re-acclimating to the two-way role that made him a superstar.

Even though Clayton Kershaw remained a free agent until the beginning of spring, there was little doubt as to where he would sign. That sentiment should hold for the foreseeable future. After his new one-year,

Clayton Kershaw said he didn't want injuries to be the reason he stopped playing, which is he returned for his 18th season with the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw explained his decision to return to the team for the 2025 season instead of retiring. "I don't want to be, 'I just can't do it hurt,' you know? Hopefully I can walk out on my own terms,