After Clayton Kershaw’s start in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cactus League opener on Saturday, the club will next hand the ball to Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda on Sunday and Monday, respectively. While not officially set, it’s the order the trio figures to be in come the regular season.
Who’s to follow them in the rotation remains a question mark both for Spring Training and the regular season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was not yet ready to announce who would pitch Tuesday, though ruled out Scott Kazmir and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
“I’m not sure when it’s scheduled, but it’s another live session for both of those guys before getting in a game,” Roberts explained Saturday morning.
While both left-handers must clear another hurdle — their third live BP of the spring — prior to pitching in a Cactus League game, it’s not indicative of poor performance.
“Ryu looked really good. Life in the zone, the breaking ball and changeup, arm speed, repeated his delivery, all really good. He said he feels great,” Roberts said. Roberts further clarified that the club is not certain where to slot Ryu into the rotation just yet.
He referred to the situation as a “pleasant problem.” Kazmir has used the throwing sessions to sort through mechanical issues that dogged him last season.
In addition to Kazmir and Ryu, Brandon McCarthy, Brock Stewart, Ross Stripling and Alex Wood are competing for the final two spots in the rotation. Julio Urias may eventually factor in, but the Dodgers will again have him on an innings limit, and the young lefty may begin the season in extended Spring Training.
