Ichiro to start when Mariners, A’s open season on Wednesday

Ichiro Suzuki, 45, will start in the outfield when Seattle takes on Oakland to open the Major League Baseball season early Wednesday in Tokyo.

The Mariners and Athletics are playing a two-game series in Japan to begin the season. Everyone else starts March 28.

Wednesday’s game starts at 2:30 a.m.

PDT. Seattle left-hander Marco Gonzales will oppose Oakland righty Mike Fiers.

Ichiro, a 10-time All-star, could be playing his final MLB games, as there’s no guarantee he’ll be on the roster for the rest of the season. He told reporters Saturday that he’s lucky to be playing, based on spring training. He hit .080 in Arizona, and he hasn’t played a regular-season game in a year.

“This is a great gift for me,” he said. “I will treasure every moment here on the field. One week after this event, I will be reflecting back on these days.”

Dodgers: Left-hander Clayton Kershaw won’t start on Opening Day, ending his streak of pitching eight straight openers, manager Dave Roberts announced.

Kershaw has dealt with left shoulder inflammation during spring training, and has yet to pitch in a game. He is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, but there are no plans in place after that.

Pirates: Jung Ho Kang will start at third base, and Erik Gonzalez will start at shortstop for Pittsburgh, general manager Neal Huntington said. Kang beat out Colin Moran, and Erik Gonzalez won out over Kevin Newman.

Yankees: Left-hander Gio Gonzalez and New York agreed to a minor league contract. If added to the 40-man roster, the 33-year-old Gonzalez would get a $3 million salary while in the major leagues and the chance to earn performance bonuses. Gonzalez was 10-11 with a 4.21 ERA last year for Washington and Milwaukee.

Also, Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury expects to play again, but when that will be is not clear. Ellsbury, who missed all of last season, reported more than a month late to spring training due to a rehab program in Arizona for left hip surgery performed last August. He also had issues with plantar fasciitis in the right foot during the offseason.

Reds: Left-hander Alex Wood is expected to open the season on the injured list as he recovers from a sore back that has limited him during spring training. Right-hander Tyler Mahle is the likely replacement in the rotation.