As the Los Angeles Dodgers entered their final week of Cactus League play, Clayton Kershaw was moved to pitch in a “B” game against the Milwaukee Brewers on a backfield at Camelback Ranch.
The left-hander will start again Friday against the Oakland Athletics before taking the mound on Opening Day for a franchise-record ninth time of his career.
As for how the rest of the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation could look, Trevor Bauer was on the mound Monday against the Seattle Mariners. He is being followed by Walker Buehler, who started against the Brewers on Tuesday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted that Kershaw, Bauer and Buehler could start in the team’s first three games of the regular season. “Obviously the way it’s lined up it kind of looks that way. We’ll see,” Roberts said.
“There’s an off day, how these guys are feeling also matters, so certainly that’s kind of how we’re projecting it. But it’s not done until it’s done.”
Roberts added the team takes several factors into account when deciding how the rotation will be filled and in what order. “I think it’s a combo. I don’t think it’s necessarily Spring Training performance,” he said.
“Right now we’re just trying to kick the can down the road a little bit longer, let guys continue to build up, keep options open for us and see where we end up when we have to break camp.”
Aside from Kershaw, Bauer and Buehler, the final two spots in the Dodgers’ starting rotation are still up for grabs. However, the expectation is that some combination of David Price, Julio Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin will round out the staff.
Kershaw moved to “B” game to pitch five innings
Roberts explained that Kershaw was moved to a “B” game so he can stretch out and pitch five innings. “He was good. I think Clayton is always going to strive for perfection, but we got him up and down, touched the sixth inning for a hitter,” Roberts said.
“I thought the fastball command and life was much better than it was his last turn. The slider was really good, and the curveball. So I thought positive overall.”
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