On Sunday, Beijing time, Dodgers legend left-handed shooter Kershaw will make his first appearance in his 18th season

With so many starting pitchers injured, the Dodgers are on the verge of welcoming back their ace legendary pitcher.

Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts announced ahead of the team's 11-1 home defeat to the Athletics on Tuesday night that Clayton Kershaw will make his season debut against the Angels at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. The 37-year-old veteran has been on the 60-day injury list since undergoing meniscus repair surgery in his left knee and plantar plate repair surgery on his left big toe in November last year.

Kershaw completed his fifth and final rehab session on Sunday. He pitched four innings for triple-A Oklahoma City, scored two hits and conceded two points, made two runs and two strikeouts, and made a total of 57 pitches.

"It's great. It's a shot in the arm for us," Roberts said, "Clayton has worked so hard to get back to his health, and he's very demanding of himself. He doesn't want to just come back to the squad, he wants to come back and help us win and play well. I know he is eager to contribute. "

Kershaw's return could not have come at a better time for the Dodgers. Blake Snell (Left Shoulder Inflammation) and Taylor Glasno (Right Shoulder Inflammation) are currently on the 15-day injury list with no clear timetable for their return, while Rocky Saskey was also added to the casualty list on Tuesday with right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The starting pitchers for the Dodgers have only made 192 and one-third innings this season, the fewest in the league. That dilemma continued in the series opener against the Athletics.

Right pitcher Langdon Nack scored five points in his second start since being recalled from triple-A last week, hitting seven hits in four overnings and 2/3 innings. Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson (the Los Angeles native made his career debut at Dodgers Stadium) was the main spoiler, blasting two runs from Nack in the third and fifth innings.

Nack tied his personal record of eight strikeouts in a single game, but when the Athletics hit the ball, they all dealt a heavy blow. The seven hits he hit also tied his career worst record.

"Obviously it wasn't very efficient tonight," Nack admitted, "too many deep ball matchups." I wanted to eat as many rounds as I could to save some energy for the cowshed. "

After the Athletics extended their lead to 9-1, Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas pitched in the ninth inning and was hit back-to-back home runs by Miguel Andujar and JJ Brady.

The Dodgers were hit 18 hits throughout the game, setting a record for the second-highest number of points conceded in a single game this season.

"They just caught every mistake we made," Nack analyzed, "and the hitters were always on the attack. They must be hatted off, and tonight their sticks were burning and they seized their chances. "

Kershaw appeared at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday to sign autographs and interact with seven Make-A-Wish Foundation children ahead of the team's series opener against the Athletics.

The left-handed pitcher, who is about to start his 17th major league season, cut short his season last season due to injury, winning two and losing two of his seven starts and defending 4.50. Upon his return, he will form a starting rotation with Nack, Yushin Yamamoto, Tony Gonsorin and Dustin May.

"Bringing the No.22 back to the rotation is a huge boost for our team," Roberts stressed, "and Clayton's return brings with it an element of certainty and a high level of performance. "

Overall, Kershaw has a 2.57 defense rate in five recovery starts from the three affiliated teams. He made 12 hits in 21 innings and conceded six points, five runs and 16 strikeouts.

Roberts said he was impressed with Kershaw's final comeback against Albuquerque on Sunday.

'I don't think the possession last time was up to his personal standards or expectations, but he was still efficient,' the manager commented. The only thing I care about is dealing with the hitter, and that's the core message I communicate with him. "

With the Dodgers on the sidelines plagued by injuries and struggling to eat innings, any contribution from Kershaw will be warmly welcomed.