Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

MLB Reacts to Clayton Kershaw's Return to Los Angeles Dodgers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 18, 2025 12:01 AM ET

One of the greatest left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball history made his long-awaited return to the mound on Saturday. Despite being without Clayton Kershaw for the first 45 games of the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the day atop the National League West with a 29–16 record.

Kershaw last pitched on August 30, 2024 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That game marked just his seventh start of the season before he was sidelined by a bone spur in his left big toe.

Many wondered if Kershaw would ever pitch again for the Dodgers, but he put those doubts to rest when he re-signed with the team on February 13. From there, it was simply a matter of rehabbing and preparing for his return to the mound.

MLB reacted to the iconic southpaw's return with a message on social media:

"Welcome Back, Clayton Kershaw!"

Standing 6-foot-4, the veteran left-hander turned 37 in March and made his 430th career start on Saturday against the Angels. He entered the outing with a career record of 212–94.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kershaw has been selected to the National League All-Star Game ten times. He played a crucial role in helping the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series, and while he was on the roster again during their 2024 title run, he was unable to pitch due to injury.

Kershaw has claimed three National League Cy Young Awards, most recently in 2014. His return for the 2025 season marked his 18th consecutive year with the Dodgers, a milestone that ties the franchise record for the longest tenure by a single player.

With that, he also became just the 59th player in MLB history to spend at least 18 seasons with one team, solidifying his place among the game’s most loyal and accomplished stars.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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