One of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history is officially hanging up his cleats.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Thursday that Clayton Kershaw, an 18-year veteran who has remained with the team his entire career, will retire at the end of the 2025 season. While Kershaw is scheduled for one more regular-season start at Dodger Stadium, his final pitches will likely come in the postseason, as L.A. is on track to clinch a playoff spot soon.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw surpassed 3,000 career strikeouts earlier this season and will undoubtedly be elected to the Hall of Fame as one of the best pitchers of his generation.
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Here's what to know about Kershaw's upcoming retirement.
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Why is Clayton Kershaw retiring?
Speculation about Clayton Kershaw’s retirement has lingered for years, resurfacing whenever he hit free agency. Each time, he chose to return to the Dodgers, remaining one of the league’s most effective starters when healthy. On Thursday, Los Angeles announced that Kershaw will retire after the 2025 season.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 18, 2025
Kershaw later said he's "at peace" with his decision to retire and that he thinks it's "the right time."
Clayton Kershaw holds back tears as he speaks on his retirement at the end of the season pic.twitter.com/ikWFFEWYjA
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 19, 2025
Clayton Kershaw, with teammates, Ellen and his four kids seated in the first two rows:
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) September 19, 2025
“I’m gonna call it. I’m gonna gonna retire. I’m at peace with it. I think it’s the right time.” pic.twitter.com/bqnhU9fsUL
Kershaw’s retirement decision is hardly performance-related. He owns a 3.53 ERA over 102 innings this season and has been a steady presence for a Dodgers rotation once again beset by injuries. While no longer the overpowering ace of his prime, Kershaw remains a reliable option at this stage of his career.
Kershaw’s planned 2025 retirement, as he nears age 40, ensures he’ll receive a proper send-off in front of the Dodgers’ home crowd before the regular season ends. He is scheduled to start Friday against the San Francisco Giants, marking his final regular-season appearance at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw's retirement also comes as the Dodgers are the reigning World Series champions, with the chance to repeat if they can carry their success over to the upcoming postseason. As of Sept. 18, Los Angeles leads the NL West by 2.5 games.
The longtime star pitcher's decision to call it a career likely was a blend of his age, plenty of prior success and an opportunity to say goodbye to Dodgers fans on Friday evening before the playoffs begin.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter released a statement on Kershaw's retirement.
"On behalf of the Dodgers, I congratulate Clayton on a fabulous career and thank him for the many moments he gave to Dodger fans and baseball fans everywhere, as well as for all of his profound charitable endeavors," Walter wrote. "His is a truly legendary career, one that we know will lead to his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame."
A message from Mark Walter, Owner and Chairman, Los Angeles Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/Fku3hFX2sy
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 18, 2025
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How old is Clayton Kershaw?
Kershaw is 37 years old. He'll turn 38 on March 19, 2026. He's been in MLB since 2008, playing for the Dodgers every year of his career.
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When is Clayton Kershaw retiring?
Kershaw will officially be retired at the conclusion of the Dodgers' 2025 season. While his final regular season home start will fall on Friday, Sept. 19, his final pitches thrown will likely depend on how deep L.A. goes in the 2025 postseason.
Whenever the Dodgers are eliminated from the playoffs, or if they win another title, Kershaw will be considered retired.
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Clayton Kershaw stats
Here's a full look at Clayton Kershaw's career numbers, all 18 of his seasons with the Dodgers:
| Season | Games | Innings | Record | Hits | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | ERA | WHIP |
| 2008 | 22 | 107.2 | 5-5 | 109 | 51 | 52 | 100 | 4.26 | 1.495 |
| 2009 | 31 | 171.0 | 8-8 | 119 | 53 | 91 | 185 | 2.79 | 1.228 |
| 2010 | 32 | 204.1 | 13-10 | 160 | 66 | 81 | 212 | 2.91 | 1.179 |
| 2011 | 33 | 233.1 | 21-5 | 174 | 59 | 54 | 248 | 2.28 | 0.977 |
| 2012 | 33 | 227.2 | 14-9 | 170 | 64 | 63 | 229 | 2.53 | 1.023 |
| 2013 | 33 | 236.0 | 16-9 | 164 | 48 | 52 | 232 | 1.83 | 0.915 |
| 2014 | 27 | 198.1 | 21-3 | 139 | 39 | 31 | 239 | 1.77 | 0.857 |
| 2015 | 33 | 232.1 | 16-7 | 163 | 55 | 42 | 301 | 2.13 | 0.881 |
| 2016 | 21 | 149.0 | 12-4 | 97 | 28 | 11 | 172 | 1.69 | 0.725 |
| 2017 | 27 | 175.0 | 18-4 | 136 | 45 | 30 | 202 | 2.31 | 0.949 |
| 2018 | 26 | 161.1 | 9-5 | 139 | 49 | 29 | 155 | 2.73 | 1.041 |
| 2019 | 29 | 178.1 | 16-5 | 145 | 60 | 41 | 189 | 3.03 | 1.043 |
| 2020 | 10 | 58.1 | 6-2 | 41 | 14 | 8 | 62 | 2.16 | 0.840 |
| 2021 | 22 | 121.2 | 10-8 | 103 | 48 | 21 | 144 | 3.55 | 1.019 |
| 2022 | 22 | 126.1 | 12-3 | 96 | 32 | 23 | 137 | 2.28 | 0.942 |
| 2023 | 24 | 131.2 | 13-5 | 100 | 36 | 40 | 137 | 2.46 | 1.063 |
| 2024 | 7 | 30.0 | 2-2 | 36 | 15 | 9 | 24 | 4.50 | 1.500 |
| 2025 | 20 | 102.0 | 10-2 | 94 | 40 | 30 | 71 | 3.53 | 1.216 |
| Career: | 452 | 2,844.2 | 222-96 | 2,185 | 802 | 708 | 3,039 | 2.54 | 1.017 |
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Clayton Kershaw awards, accomplishments
- 1x MVP (2014)
- 3x NL Cy Young Award (2011, 2013, 2014)
- 11x All-Star
- 5x ERA title
- 1x Gold Glove (2011)
- 2x World Series champion (2020, 2024)
Kershaw won three Cy Young awards in his career, one of nine all-time players to do so. He's also one of just 23 all-time pitchers to win an MVP award.
Technically, Kershaw is the owner of two World Series rings. However, he did not pitch in the 2024 postseason when the Dodgers won it all. In 2020, he tossed 11.2 innings on the team's World Series run.