LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dodgers will have a new opening day starter for the first time since 2010 as Clayton Kershaw’s been ruled out of 2019 opening day.
It’s been a few tough seasons for Los Angeles Dodgers fans who have come close to the World Series championship two seasons in a row. Now fans have suffered another blow as prodigal son Clayton Kershaw has been officially ruled out as the season opener for the first time in eight seasons.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Kershaw will not be the pitcher on the mound welcoming the team back for their 2019 season.
The former Cy Young winner has been dealing with shoulder issues all winter and his possibility of starting the season has been in limbo for weeks. This marks the first time since 2010 that Kershaw will not throw out the first pitch for the Dodgers. There has been no official word on who might be the player on the mound come March 28.
The last time a pitcher other than Kershaw pitched on opening day was 2010 when Vicente Padilla stepped on the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates the Dodgers lost that game 5–11. Of Kershaw’s last six opening day starts he went 5-1, losing last season’s opener to the San Francisco Giants 0-1. In 161 1/3 innings last season, Kershaw posted a 2.73 ERA.
Some potential season openers could be veterans Rich Hill and Hyun-jin Ryu who both had good 2018 numbers. Many believe it will be Walker Buehler that gets the nod. Only time will tell.
The Dodgers opening day will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2019, when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks at home for an afternoon game.