Coming out of Wednesday’s off day, their second of the spring, the Los Angeles Dodgers will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Thursday. The 4:05 p.m. PT start will be nationally televised by ESPN.
Kershaw’s start comes on an extra day of rest, and with him and Alex Wood on the same schedule, Wood is slated to pitch in a Minor League game at Camelback Ranch. Wood has thrown 11.1 innings in four Cactus League games (two starts) and owns a 3.18 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
General consensus holds Wood, and Brandon McCarthy, who pitched Monday, are the frontrunners for the remaining spots in the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation. Though, Hyun-Jin Ryu is doing his part to remain part of the picture.
The Dodgers have not yet named a starter for Friday’s matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it could go to Rich Hill on regular rest. The veteran left-hander pitched Sunday in a Minor League game, using the opportunity to further refine his mechanics and repertoire.
Starters for games on Saturday and Sunday also aren’t set, though Kenta Maeda figures to get the nod. He last started in a Cactus League game on March 18. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did indicate Scott Kazmir is soon expected to make his return to the rotation, after missing time due to hip soreness.
Kazmir would naturally slot in to start Sunday. Looking one step further, Ryu is expected to receive the ball on Monday against the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers will break camp following their matchup with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, March 29.
It’s then back to Southern California for a three-game exhibition Freeway Series, and a final spring game on Dodger Stadium on Saturday, April 2.
