Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is "excited and grateful" to make his 2025 season debut on Saturday, as noted to reporters during a Thursday chat (h/t ESPN's Aiden Gonzalez).

Kershaw will tie Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most years with the Dodgers franchise when he starts this weekend. He and Russell are the only players to log 18 seasons since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Kershaw is the longest-tenured player on the current roster.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting their longest-tenured player back this weekend. Lefty Clayton Kershaw will be activated off the injured list and start Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium, the team announced Tuesday. That is the first day Kershaw is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list.