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By Peter Chawaga
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a hard time fielding healthy pitchers this year, but they have to be pleased with at least one durable comeback.
After missing the final stretch of the team's World Series run last year, franchise icon Clayton Kershaw has returned to the rotation in strong form this season. He is carrying a 3.01 ERA in 15 starts so far into his next matchup and is set to enjoy a significant financial reward as a result.
"The veteran cashed in $1 million bonuses with each of his last three starts and will add another $1 million when he makes his 16th start of the season on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies," Bill Plunkett wrote for The Orange County Register. "Kershaw has also passed the required 90 days of service time on the active roster to vest another $4.5 million in bonuses. With Thursday's start, he will max out the $16 million contract he signed in February (which started with a $7.5 million base salary)."
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Kershaw, who has made more than $300 million in salary over his illustrious Dodgers career, is likely more pleased by the opportunity to compete than the financial bonuses this season. Injuries have derailed his recent seasons and he hasn't been a factor in the postseason for some time.
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Clearly, the opportunity to compete for another World Series with the Dodgers is important to him.
"I've always appreciated being a part of the Dodgers because you're never pitching just to pitch," Kershaw said, per Plunkett. "There's always a bigger goal, a bigger motivation behind it. That makes it have more meaning."
As Kershaw enjoys a healthy campaign and some of the financial perks that go with it, it's unclear if this could be the final season of his career. But his ability to contribute for the rest of this regular season and beyond is likely to play a large part in that decision.
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