Kershaw to open on road and at home
In addition to starting on opening day, Clayton Kershaw will pitch in the Dodgers’ home opener April 10 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Dodgers open their season in San Diego on April 5. They have a day off before they open their series at Dodger Stadium against the Pirates, meaning Kershaw could pitch in the home opener on regular four days’ rest.
Manager Don Mattingly said he decided to start Kershaw on April 10 because he wants to get his best pitcher back on the mound as soon as possible. That Kershaw’s second start happens to fall on the same day as the home opener is a bonus.
“It’s a nice little thing to happen,” Mattingly said.
Kershaw is scheduled to pitch two innings in an intrasquad game Sunday morning. He is scheduled to pitch in his first Cactus League game Friday.
The last Dodgers pitcher to start an opening-day game on the road and a home opener in the same season was Tim Belcher in 1989. Put me in, coach
Juan Rivera said he has waited a lifetime to be an everyday player.
Rivera has started 120 or more games only twice in his 11-year major league career.
He spent six offensively productive seasons with the Angels from 2005 to 2010, but started more than 116 games for them only once.
“They never gave me the chance,” Rivera said.
He figures to get that chance this season, which he will enter as the Dodgers’ primary left fielder.
But at age 33, how many games could he start? Maybe 140? “With the conditioning I have, I think I can,” Rivera said. “Perhaps even more.”
Rivera said he started working with a trainer when he was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays in July. Soon after, he was acquired by the Dodgers at almost no cost and hit .274 with five home runs and 46 runs batted in in 62 games for them.
Rivera said he doesn’t consider the left-field position to be his yet.
“Right now, I’m not thinking of myself as the starter,” he said. “I’m here to do my work and win the job. I’m not overconfident about being the everyday guy.”
While Mattingly said Rivera would be the primary left fielder, he would be cautious not to overuse him.
“He’s not a guy we’re not going to be able to beat up,” Mattingly said. “There were times last year, when he was in there every day, every day, every day, he would kind of get worn down a little bit.”
Rivera could play some games at first base in place of left-handed-hitting James Loney on days the Dodgers face a left-handed pitcher.
On days Rivera is out of Short hops
A bad hop caught Dee Gordon in the mouth, forcing him to make an early exit from the Dodgers’ workout Friday. Gordon left the team’s complex to get his lip stitched. He is expected to be back working out Sunday. … Outfield prospect Alfredo Silverio isn’t expected to be the lineup, Jerry Sands could start in his place. on the field at any time this spring because he is still recovering from a January car accident. Silverio, who was added to the 40-man roster over the winter and is in major league camp, suffered a concussion, as well as injuries to his back, shoulder, elbow and neck. There is no timetable for his return. dylan.hernandez@latimes.com twitter.com/dylanohernandez