Clayton Kershaw is feeling "a lot of gratitude" ahead of a 2025 debut that's much more of a necessity than the luxury it once seemed for a Dodgers rotation that needs his help again.

When you haven’t done something in a long time, you realize you miss it. You miss being a part of a team and contributing.”

There is little left for Kershaw to accomplish. He’s laid claim to three Cy Young Awards. He’s helped finally bring a parade back to Los Angeles for the Dodgers. That leaves nothing else to prove before he waltzes into Cooperstown. In that framework, it’s fair to wonder what could possibly be left to drive Kershaw back to the mound.