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The latest out of Camelback.
Clayton Kershaw
Yesterday I wrote about whether or not Kershaw should get the start on Opening Day. He’s been held back all of spring with an injury, and there’s no timetable for his return. The first game of the season is three weeks from today, and it’s looking more and more like Kershaw will be missing his first Opening Day since 2010.
On Thursday, Dave Roberts said Kershaw will be playing catch up to 120 feet. Though he’s progressing each day, Roberts said it will be “tough” to see him getting the nod. “When he’s ready to pitch in a major league game, that’s when he’ll be ready,” he said.
After their game against the Angels in Tempe, it was reported that Kershaw also threw to a catcher but not quite from the mound
Correction. Something was apparently lost in translation. The catcher was in a crouch and Kershaw was ~60 feet away, but he was not on a mound. Stand down the red alert.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) March 7, 2019
Ross Stripling
With Kershaw being a question mark, it was up in the air as to who would become the fifth starter in his absence. On Thursday we got more clarity, as Roberts said Ross Stripling would be who to expect as the No. 5 starter if anyone starts the season on the DL. With Stripling starting today, he would need one extra day of rest between now and March 28 to pitch Opening Day.
The Dodgers won 6-2 over the Angels at Tempe, Stripling pitched three innings and faced 13 batters. He gave up two runs, four hits and struck out two.
Ross Stripling is incorporating a 2-seamer to his mix to better attack right handed hitters.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 7, 2019
Roster moves
The Dodgers made a series of roster moves, most notably on Thursday. They claimed left-handed pitcher Donnie Hart off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. He appeared in 20 games in 2018, posting a 5.59 ERA. He was optioned to the minors nine separate times in 2018.
His best season came in 2016, where he had a 0.49 ERA in 22 games.
In order to make room, the Dodgers designated Josh Fields for assignment.
On top of this move, the Dodgers also began their roster cuts last night. All the cuts were pitchers. Adam McCreery was optioned, whereas Josh Smoker, Joe Broussard, Daniel Corcino and Jesen Therrien were reassigned to minors camp. They now have 56 players in camp, including 23 infielders and outfielders, 27 pitchers and six catchers.
More moves are expected in the upcoming week.
Other news
- No timetable as to when Andrew Toles will return to camp. Toles is currently dealing with a personal matter.
- Walker Buehler threw a bullpen session yesterday. He’ll throw live batting practice next week.
- Russell Martin is taking time off from swinging and catching