Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the expected decision of Clayton Kershaw starting Sunday against the San Diego Padres. The alternative was having the three-time Cy Young Award winner pitch in a Minor League game.
“We talked about it, and he would just rather pitch in an ‘A’ game,” Roberts said. Kershaw is expected to go five innings, which would be his longest Cactus League outing of the year. It will be his first time facing the Padres, which weighed in to the thought process.
“We talked about that, and for Clayton to pitch against a divisional opponent, when he would potentially see the Padres played into it,” Roberts said, adding Kershaw’s preference for a Major League also carried weight.
The Dodgers see the Padres on April 16 for the start of a three-game series at Petco Park. But should Kershaw remain on his usual turn in the rotation, he would not take the mound in San Diego.
After that, the teams next meet May 4, again at Petco Park for a three-game set.
In four Cactus League starts, Kershaw has allowed just six hits, recorded 11 strikeouts and walked four over 9.2 scoreless innings. His final tuneup of the spring is likely to come during the exhibition Freeway Series.
