Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Set to Finally Make His First Start of the Spring

The first Kershaw day of 2023 now has a date. On Thursday morning at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers’ list of probables for tomorrow has Clayton Kershaw as the starter against the Angels in Glendale, AZ. This will be Clayton’s first start of the spring and first start since game 2 against the Padres in the NLDS.

As both Kershaw and manager Dave Roberts have noted over the last few weeks, nothing is wrong with the left-hander. The decision was made to step back and slow down his ramp up after he was unable to continue on with his plans of joining Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

The lineup for the game against the Halos isn’t listed yet, but both of the primary catchers for LA are out of camp and on WBC squads (Will Smith with Team USA and Austin Barnes with Team Mexico). This could lead to a battery of Clayton Kershaw and top prospect Diego Cartaya for the first time.

This will also be Kershaw’s first start under the new pitch clock rules, something he’s talked a bit about already this spring. Last weekend in a B game on the back fields at Camelback Ranch, Kersh was asked again about the pitch clock where he said that he’s learning how to game the system as other star pitchers have so this spring.

First pitch is set for 12:05 PM PT with the Dodgers welcoming the Angels to Camelback Ranch.

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Clint Pasillas

Clint Pasillas has been writing, blogging, and podcasting about the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2008. Under Clint's leadership as the Lead Editor, Dodgers Nation has grown into one of the most read baseball sites in the world with millions of unique visitors per month. Find him online on Twitter/X or his YouTube channel!

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