For the first time since 2010, someone besides Clayton Kershaw will take the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day.
Manager Dave Roberts made it official on Monday (per Jorge Castillo, Los Angeles Times) that Kershaw wil not be available.
Clayton Kershaw will not start on opening day, Dave Roberts said.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) March 18, 2019
While Kershaw has been making progress recovering from the injury to his throwing shoulder, this news is not unexpected.
While missing Opening Day is new for Kershaw, being injured is unfortunately all too common. He’s spent time on the DL in each of the last three seasons and three of the last four.
When healthy, he’s still one of the game’s best. In 2018, he posted a 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.