Clayton Kershaw will not start on Opening Day, Seager will return on Wednesday

For the first time since 2010, Clayton Kershaw will not be getting the start on Opening Day for the Dodgers. This information was first reported in a tweet by Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers beat reporter for MLB.com.

Kershaw’s first Opening Day start came in 2011 against the Giants. He threw seven innings, struck out nine, and didn’t allow a run. For his career, he is 5-1 on Opening Day.

Arguably his most memorable start came in 2013 versus the Giants. He threw a complete-game shutout, striking out seven and allowing only four hits. Though his performance on the diamond was impressive, his shining moment came on the offensive side.

In the eighth inning, Kershaw stepped up to the plate in a 0-0 game. On the first pitch of the at-bat, he drilled one over the center field fence, giving LA the 1-0 lead. They went on to win the game, literally at the hands of Kershaw.

The last pitcher to start on Opening Day for the Dodgers not named Kershaw was Vicente Padilla. Going back even further, the last Dodgers player to start a home-opener not named Kershaw was Brad Penny in 2008.

Corey Seager

After Dave Roberts announced Seager will “absolutely” play Opening Day, all eyes shifted to the back fields of Camelback on Monday. Seager appeared in a minor-league game, playing defense for seven innings.

Seager will play in his first official cactus league game on Wednesday night versus the Cubs in Mesa. Roberts expects Seager to play seven innings and get three at-bats.

Other notes

• Max Muncy is in the lineup again after missing a few games with a sore wrist
• Walker Buehler still “in mix” to pitch Opening Day. He’ll make his first cactus league start tomorrow
• Right-handed pitcher Jaime Schultz has been optioned to minor-league camp