Kershaw returns for 17th season with L.A.

Clayton Kershaw says he will return for his 17th season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kershaw said Thursday he will be back with the team as part of an agreement that includes a player option for 2025. The three-time Cy Young Award winner spoke as the big-spending Dodgers became the first of the 30 teams to start spring training, opening on a dreary, wet and chilly Thursday morning at Camelback Ranch ahead of their opener against San Diego on March 20 at Seoul, South Korea.

The 210-game winner, who turns 36 on March 19, had a nameplate and a locker in the clubhouse even though his contract had not been announced by the the team.

“I’m on a good path right now,” Kershaw said. “I’m excited about getting ready to pitch again at Dodger Stadium. That sounds fun.”

The Dodgers did announce one deal on Thursday, finalizing a $9 million, two-year contract to retain righthander Ryan Brasier. To make room on the roster for Brasier — who is expected to work out of the bullpen — the Dodgers placed right-hander Dustin May on the 60day injured list.

RANGERS, GARCIA AVOID ARBITRATION >>

Adolis García and the Texas Rangers agreed to a $14 million, two-year contract that could be worth as much as $20.25 million, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing between the AL Championship Series MVP and the World Series champions.

“He has been a very important part of our team the past few years and we are thrilled to have this resolved as we prepare for the start of spring training,” general manager Chris Young said.

García will have a base salary of $4.75 million this season, and his $9.25 million salary in 2025 could increase a maximum of $6.25 million to $15.5 million, depending on several salary escalators.

NBA

ANUNOBY OUT THREE WEEKS >> OG Anunoby has undergone right elbow surgery and the New York Knicks say the starting forward will miss at least three more weeks.

The Knicks said Thursday that Anunoby had a loose bone fragment removed from his elbow in the procedure. They didn’t say when it was performed and coach Tom Thibodeau said he didn’t know.

They added that he would be evaluated in three weeks.

Anunoby’s acquisition from Toronto sent the Knicks soaring up the standings, as they went 14-2 in January after he made his debut in the starting lineup on New Year’s Day. But he has missed the last five games with what the team called right elbow inflammation before changing it to bone spur inflammation in their injury report for their game against Dallas.