It's hard to imagine Clayton Kershaw in another team's uniform and the Los Angeles Dodgers won't have to after the future Hall of Famer announced his intent to return next season.

The 36-year-old has a $10 million player option for next year but faced a challenging 2024 season.

After undergoing left shoulder surgery, his return was delayed until July, allowing him to make just seven starts before a toe injury cut his season short in August. Kershaw finished the year with a 2-2 record, a 4.50 ERA, and 24 strikeouts over 30 innings pitched.

"Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year, [but] I want to make use of this [shoulder] surgery," he told FOX Sports. "I don't want to have surgery and then shut it down. So, I'm going to come back next year, give it a go and see how it goes.

"My shoulder and elbow, everything, my arm feels great."

He also clarified where he would be playing when Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register asked him.

"I'm going to be a Dodger."

Kershaw had been working to stay active and prepare for a possible postseason return, but the team ultimately made the decision to shut him down. According to manager Dave Roberts, Kershaw’s injury was "actually getting worse."

While Kershaw acknowledged that surgery is "definitely in the conversation," no official plans have been made at this time.

Kershaw, set to turn 37 in March, stands second on the Dodgers' all-time wins list with 212 victories and holds the franchise record with 2,968 strikeouts—just 32 away from reaching the 3,000 mark.

The veteran holds a player option with the Dodgers for the 2025 season. If he exercises it, he’ll embark on his 18th year in Major League Baseball with the team that drafted him in 2006. The option for the 2025 season has a base salary of $5 million and potential performance-based incentives that could add up to $20 million.

Over his 17-year career, Kershaw has achieved nearly every accolade the game has to offer. He’s a 10-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, Gold Glove recipient, five-time ERA leader, Triple Crown winner, MVP, and a World Series champion. The Dodgers are five wins away from Kershaw winning his second World Series champion.

The left-hander holds an impressive career record of 212-94 with a 2.50 ERA, the best among active starting pitchers. He also leads all current players with 15 career shutouts.

The Los Angeles Dodgers weren't planning on second baseman Gavin Lux playing on Monday because of the matchup against New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea — but is his status in doubt for Game 3 on Wednesday?

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned that Lux could be utilized as a pinch hitter off the bench, but he won't be playing defense.

However, the team is optimistic that a day off on Tuesday will help him regain full strength before Wednesday's Game 3.

After the 7-3 loss, Roberts updated reporters on Lux's status.

"He was not healthy enough to start, to run, to play defense," Roberts said. "I had him ready for that DS spot in the eighth if I thought it was leverage enough for him to hit. Once they scored the extra run in the top half of the ninth, I just felt that I'm not going to risk putting Gavin in a little bit more harm's way. And so I thought Pages was the best option in that moment."

The exact moment that caused Lux to exit Game 1 early was on a sacrifice bunt. He felt something on his way out of the box.

“Just kind of coming out of the box on the bunt. Going down the line, my right hip flexor, just kind of tweaked it and didn’t feel great,” Lux explained after the Dodgers’ 9-0 Game 1 win against the New York Mets. “But I wanted to stay in the game. I was fine to stay in the game. It was a precautionary thing and with a lefty going tomorrow, had a little extra time to get it recovered up.”

Lux said he didn't have any issues with hip flexor before the game and he didn't plan on getting any tests done.

“Just wear and tear, I guess. I’ll be fine. I wanted to stay in the game, but I think it was the right thing to do with trying to get a little extra recovery. I’ll be fine,” he said.

If Lux isn't available for Game 3, don't be surprised if Kiké Hernández is back at second base and Kevin Kiermaier is out in center field.

With center field options down to Chris Taylor, Andy Pages and Kiermaier, the most trustworthy defensive player is Kiermaier who can also get a bunt down when asked.

Shohei Ohtani has been leading off for the Los Angeles Dodgers since Mookie Betts was placed on the injured list with a broken hand in June. Even after Betts returned to the lineup, manager Dave Roberts decided to keep Ohtani in the top spot.

This move has resulted in impressive production with runners in scoring position, showcasing Ohtani's ability to deliver in clutch situations.

However, there’s a notable concern regarding his performance without runners on base during the postseason. Currently, Ohtani is 0-for-19 with the bases empty, a stark contrast to his success with runners on base, where he boasts a 6-for-8 line. This discrepancy raises questions about his effectiveness as a leadoff hitter in critical moments.

Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two walks and two strikeouts during Monday's Game 2. In contrast, he performed well on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one run batted in, and one walk. Both hits came with runners on base.

After the Dodgers' 7-3 loss to the New York Mets on Monday, reporters asked Roberts if he considered moving Ohtani down in the lineup due to these struggles.

“Not really," Roberts said. "I think that, as far as on the offensive side, I think we've been pretty good offensively. I think the guys at the bottom have been doing a nice job of getting on base."

Roberts emphasized the importance of not making hasty decisions in response to Ohtani's current slump.

He stated, “And as far as moving him down, I just don't want to be too reactive. I don't really see the benefit.”

His focus remains on ensuring that the entire team continues to swing the bat well, which is essential for maintaining momentum throughout the postseason.

The manager also pointed out that he wants Ohtani to have as many opportunities as possible at the plate.

“Quite frankly, I want Shohei to get five at-bats a game. I think he's our best hitter, and I want him up there five times.”

This approach reflects Roberts' confidence in Ohtani's overall abilities, trusting that he will eventually break out of his slump and deliver when it counts.

In the postseason, every at-bat is crucial, and while Ohtani’s struggles with the bases empty are concerning, Roberts believes in his talent and potential to turn things around.

The Dodgers are the first team in MLB history to have four straight wins in the regular season or postseason come via shutout, earning three of those wins by a margin of eight-plus runs, per OptaSTATS.

The Dodgers' last four victories have been by scores of 8-0, 2-0, 9-0, and 8-0. The Los Angeles pitching staff as well as the star-studded lineup is responsible for this rare feat.

The Dodgers are in the process of shedding their tattered postseason reputation as the team is just two games away from advancing to the World Series.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke on the four shutout games from his pitching staff.

"I think with the postseason there's off days," Roberts said. "So I think you have a chance to deploy guys you want more. It's more sense of urgency, versus in the regular season where sometimes you've got to kind of lose the battle to win the war type thing. And that's how I manage a lot over the course of 162."

Roberts also gave credit to Will Smith for his job behind the plate.

"But to their credit, I think Will is doing a fantastic job just sharpening every part of it — whether it's catching the baseball, whether it's the right pitch at the right time, game-calling with urgency," Roberts added.

Smith hasn't done well in his at-bats, but he's done a phenomenal job handling the Los Angeles pitching staff in October. He deserves massive credit for his work behind the plate.

"My preparation doesn't really change. I just go one pitch at a time with those guys," Smith said. "But they've been nails. They've been really good just going out and executing, putting guys away and putting up zeros. They're doing really well right now. Just trying to keep them going."

Smith's teammates are hopeful his bat will eventually come around, but his command of the pitching staff shouldn't be forgotten.

Roberts credited Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior with also contributing to the four shutout games in the last five matchups.

"And to the pitchers' credit and Mark Prior, they're just really locking in and they're doing a fantastic job," Roberts said. "I think it's all a compilation of that."

The Dodgers enter Game 4 with a 2-1 lead over the Mets. The Dodgers have a chance to win another contest at Citi Field Thursday.

Two notable players that won't be on the field include Freddie Freeman and Gavin Lux. However, they are likely to return for Game 5.

Read more: Why Isn’t Freddie Freeman Playing for the Dodgers vs the Mets in NLCS Game 4?