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Clayton Kershaw is a bona fide future Hall of Famer, but just how soon his playing career will end has been in question for some time.
The Dodgers star, now 37, recently surpassed 3,000 career strikeouts. He's made the decision to return to Los Angeles multiple times, still an effective starting pitcher when he can stay healthy, and in 2025, he was selected as a "legacy pick" for the All-Star Game.
Because of that distinction and the standing ovation he received mid-game because of it, retirement rumors have never been louder for Kershaw, but is he actually planning on hanging up his cleats soon?
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Here's what Kershaw has said of his retirement plans, why he was selected as a 2025 All-Star, and more.
MORE: Highlights, results from 2025 MLB All-Star Game
Is Clayton Kershaw retiring?
Despite all the rumors, his age, and the honor he was given as a "legacy" All-Star this season, Kershaw has not confirmed that the 2025 season will be his last.
He recently said that he has no plans for his future right now, doing his best to focus on where he is right now on a Dodgers team that once again has title aspirations.
Kershaw addressed this after a recent game when he surpassed 3,000 strikeouts, as well.
"Not to be not appreciative of moments, like because that was a really special night in L.A. I wouldn’t change anything that that night was. That was so special,” Kershaw said, per MLB.com. “But I don’t know what is going to happen in the future. I really have no idea when it comes to the years beyond this one. So I’m just trying to enjoy it, be part of a really good team this year. We still have a lot to accomplish. We still have October. It’s really hard to look at stuff individually when you’re trying to accomplish something as a team."
Kershaw also said that he's not "a big look-back guy." While his distinction as an All-Star, in a season where he typically would not have earned the honor, has made it seem like a farewell tour for the longtime ace, Kershaw likely won't be making his future plans known for some time.
“You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,” he said, per MLB.com. “Obviously, I don’t deserve to get to go this season. Haven’t pitched very much. But everything that it encompasses to go to an All-Star Game, I get to take my family – I’ll never pass up that opportunity.”
Clayton Kershaw All-Star legacy pick, explained
MLB's commissioner, Rob Manfred, has made legacy pick additions to the All-Star rosters in the past. The distinction is meant to celebrate a baseball legend's accomplishments, giving them one last trip to the Midsummer Classic so fans can say farewell, look back on their dominant careers, etc.
In 2022, Manfred added Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols to the All-Star rosters with the legacy picks. Kershaw said he was not expecting to be a legacy pick this year, but he was honored.
"He's very self-aware. He was very surprised," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, per MLB.com. "But I think that the next level of thinking and appreciating who this honor has been given to over [the] years, the legends honor, I think that he understood it sooner. And it's a great honor, and I think that he took it the right way."
Manfred's decision to add Kershaw as a legacy pick isn't exactly indicative of the Dodgers pitcher retiring after this season, but either way, he's still late in his career and unlikely to ever earn another All-Star selection. With Kershaw recently notching 3,000 strikeouts, the timing was also meant to celebrate his accomplishments.
MORE: How fans reacted to Fox having pitchers, more mic'd up during All-Star Game
Clayton Kershaw standing ovation at All-Star Game
Kershaw, who was mic'd up while on the mound in the All-Star Game, managed to strike out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He knew that was likely his last batter, and Roberts then emerged from the dugout to take the legend out of the game.
"I think that might be it," Kershaw said of his outing before thanking his teammates.
Roberts told him to keep the baseball, and Kershaw exited to the Atlanta crowd cheering him on, on their feet for a standing ovation.
Clayton Kershaw, legend. pic.twitter.com/MeK3Fe6U53
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 16, 2025Clayton Kershaw contract
Kershaw, who never showed much interest in leaving the Dodgers, officially finalized a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the team in February. The total contract value is $16 million with performance bonuses, though, most of which were related to how many games he pitched in throughout the 2025 season.
That means that Kershaw is set to be a free agent after the 2025 season, although his intentions to continue playing are still up in the air.
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