The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that Hiroki Kuroda will be the opening-day starter against San Diego. Kuroda will be followed in the rotation by Randy Wolf, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, and the mystery fifth-man. Billingsley will be positioned to pitch the Dodgers' home-opener on April 13. The rotation sets up as right-left-right-left. Kuroda, a top-tier pitcher from Japan, went 9-10 last year with a 3.73 ERA and two complete game shutouts, including a one-hitter. He won two playoff games, and was the only pitcher to get a win against Philadelphia in the NLCS. He gained the respect of many teammates in the playoffs after throwing a brush-back pitch to Shane Victorino, sending a message to Philly that he would not allow their pitchers to harass the Dodgers without retaliation.
Chad Billingsley pitched 5 innings in a minor-league intrasquad game, giving up three runs, including a home run.
Joe Beimal officially signed with the Washington Nationals, effectively ending his tenure with LA. Beimal was used as a situational lefty last season, and had an ERA of 2.02, but surrendered 20 inherited runs.
No comments:
Post a Comment