The Dodgers began their spring training journey today, as pitchers and catchers reporting to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. They got an important, and obvious decision, out of the way on day one, as Don Mattingly named Clayton Kershaw as his opening day starter.
The Dodgers open their regular season on Thursday, March 31 at Dodger Stadium against the Giants. Kershaw will be on the mound to start the game, in a spot he probably should have been in last season (he did start the home opener in 2010, but Vicente Padilla started opening day in Pittsburgh), likely against Tim Lincecum, in a great matchup. Last year, the Dodgers didn't announce their opening day starter until March 25, a cool 11 days before the season started. Today, there are 43 days before opening day.
At 23 years, 12 days old on March 31, Kershaw would be the fifth youngest opening day starter in Los Angeles Dodgers history.
In other opening day news, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reported that Hiroki Kuroda "is slated to start on opening day of the Cactus League," but it is unsure which game. The Dodgers have two split squad games on February 26, one in Tempe against the Angels and one in Scottsdale against the Giants, with both games starting at 12:05 p.m.
For more Dodgers spring training news and information, be sure to read True Blue LA.