Kershaw looks like the Kershaw of old in start
Clayton Kershaw struck out four batters without allowing a hit in his spring training debut Friday, the first step toward a possible Opening Day start for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kershaw, the Dodgers’ longtime ace, faced a Milwaukee Brewers lineup with five expected regulars, including Brock Holt and Keston Hiura at the top of the order. He struck out both on three pitches each to open the bottom of the first.
After two walks and a strikeout of the final batter he faced, Kershaw was done after 1 2/3 innings and left with a 1-0 lead. The Brewers came back for a win.
Kershaw said his fastballs, which hit up to 93 mph, had life on them as they reached home plate. He left to a standing ovation from the Dodgers fans at American Family Fields of Phoenix, the Brewers’ spring home.
“First outing, up and down, to see the execution of the fastball, the swing that you saw, the life to the ball, really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Didn’t compromise the stuff the second inning. Just didn’t land the breaking ball, but ... the sharpness of it was there, and that comes with time. I couldn’t be more satisfied with this outing.”
Kershaw went 16-5 with a 3.03 ERA last season. He pitched 178 1/3 innings, his highest total since 2015.
He missed the start of the season due to shoulder soreness that caused him to be shut down for most of spring training. His streak of eight straight Opening Day starts came to an end.
This spring he’s completely healthy. He finished his day throwing more pitches in the bullpen and hopes to pitch three innings in his next outing.
SHORT HOPS >> New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is upset over his latest injury, a strained right calf that could sideline him for Opening Day.
“It makes it seem like I didn’t take care of myself, which makes it more frustrating.” Stanton said Friday. “I can’t stop and feel sorry for myself.”
Stanton was hurt Tuesday during outfield drills, and an MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain, the least serious on the scale. Stanton said his chance to play in the March 26 opener at Baltimore all depends on his progress “this week, next week.”
• Salvador Pérez was back behind the plate for the first time since Tommy John surgery.
The six-time All-Star caught the first four innings of the Kansas City Royals’ 3-1 loss to a San Francisco split squad on Friday.
“I was super-excited to be back behind the home plate,” Pérez said. “I feel great. I feel good. I wasn’t nervous.”
A five-time Gold Glove winner, the 29-year-old had not caught in a game since Sept. 26, 2018.
Pérez hurt a ligament in his right elbow during drills in spring training last year, and Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed Tommy John surgery on March 6.