Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes provided the latest update surrounding veteran southpaw Clayton Kershaw.

Earlier this winter, Kershaw declined his $10 million player option with the Dodgers and opted for free agency.

Kershaw, 36, battled several injuries throughout the 2024 season, ultimately missing the postseason. Nonetheless, it’s been widely speculated that he will return to the Dodgers for the 2025 season.

“He’s continuing to heal and build up from the procedures he’s had,” Gomes said at the Winter Meetings. “We’ll just stay in touch.

As I said, I hope and our expectation is that Clayton will be back next year, and whenever he’s ready, if we’re fortunate enough to bring him back, we’ll plug him in.”

The future Hall of Famer made it clear he wanted to retire as a Dodger at the end of the season, calling himself a “Dodger for life”.

“I just thought everyone kind of assumed and knew I was coming back. I didn’t really think about it,” Kershaw said during the playoffs after announcing he would play another season but not specifying for what team. “I’m going to be a Dodger.”

It’s expected that Kershaw will sign a new contract with the Dodgers this offseason, possibly a two-year contract with a player option for the second season. The three-time Cy Young winner underwent two surgeries in November, one to address his toe and the other to repair the meniscus in his left knee.

Kershaw pitched in his last game of 2024 at Chase Field on Aug. 30. He made an untimely departure after one-plus inning due to a recurring toe injury.

Although he didn’t compete in the postseason, Kershaw served as inspiration for Walker Buehler’s ninth inning heroics.

“For me, honestly, the first thing I said was ‘What would 22 do?” Buehler told Mookie Betts during an episode of the outfielder’s On Base podcast. “Twenty-two would be out there and he was hurt and all that s–t so I guess I had to f—ing do it.”

Kershaw remains a beloved figure in the Dodgers organization, and fans are eager to hear confirmation about his return to the team next season