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Clayton Kershaw is on the mound for the Dodgers against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night in Phoenix, but the plan for the rotation beyond this series is up in the air at this point.
Dustin May will start Thursday’s series finale, and the Dodgers are off Friday, allowing them to shuffle things if they so choose. Depending on how Walker Buehler’s blister progresses will inform this decision.
Dodgers-D-backs lineups
| Pos | Dodgers | Pos | D-backs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Dodgers | Pos | D-backs |
| RF | Betts | CF | Locastro |
| SS | Seager (L) | SS | Ahmed |
| DH | Taylor | 1B | Walker |
| 1B | Bellinger (L) | DH | Escobar (S) |
| 3B | Muncy (L) | 2B | Rojas (L) |
| CF | Pollock | 3B | Mathisen |
| C | Smith | LF | Varsho (L) |
| 2B | Lux (L) | C | Kelly |
| LF | Hernández | RF | Jay (L) |
Dave Roberts called Tuesday’s start, in which Buehler retired his first seven batters but then was done before finishing the third, allowing five runs and two home runs, a net neutral. When Buehler will make his next start remains in question.
“It’s a conversation we’re having and we really don’t need to make a decision right now or the next day,” Roberts said on a conference call. “We’re trying to figure out the best way to combat it, but as far as the shape of the finger, Walker’s mind and body, all good.”
The cavalry returning soon
Pedro Baez threw two simulated innings on Wednesday at the alternate training site at USC, and “activation this weekend looks very possible,” Roberts said. Baez, on the injured list with a right groin strain, last pitched in a game on August 19.
Joc Pederson was among the hitters facing Baez on Wednesday, and will be activated from the paternity list before Saturday’s series opener against the Astros.
Justin Turner, out since Aug. 29 with a left hamstring strain, is running at 50-60 percent, Roberts said. Turner’s first game or two back will likely be at designated hitter. “Hopefully this weekend is in play, but if not then we’ll be ready when he’s ready,” Roberts said.
Tratando de encontrar palabras para describir lo que siento en este día y creo que palabras no le harían justicia a este sentimiento! Que HONOR y que ORGULLO el poder usar el numero 21 en honor a nuestra leyenda #RobertoClementeDay #Retire21 pic.twitter.com/IuVb4xtX1r
— Enrique Hernández (@kikehndez) September 9, 2020
Clemente Day
September 9 is Roberto Clemente Day throughout MLB, and the Dodgers’ two players from Puerto Rico, Kiké Hernández and Edwin Ríos, will wear number 21 on Wednesday to honor Clemente.
“I don’t want to say he was the perfect human, but he put everybody else before himself. He died to go take food and clothes to people in Nicaragua,” Rios said on a conference call. “If I can be half the person he was, I think I’ll be okay.”
Hernández starts in left field, while Rios isn’t in the lineup for this one
Arizona roster moves
The D-backs placed Ketel Marte on the injured list with left wrist inflammation and optioned left-handed pitcher Joe Mantiply to their alternate training site. Arizona recalled right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps and utility man Josh VanMeter, the latter acquired from the Reds last week in the Archie Bradley trade.
Game info
Time: 6:40 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)