Clayton Kershaw paused halfway up the dugout steps Saturday and bowed his head. The jog he was about to make to the mound at Dodger Stadium would be the first steps of what is likely the final chapter of his spectacular career.

For Kershaw, this game was about more than just the result; it was an emotional moment: “I love being back out there, it’s a special thing.”

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.