Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw won’t take the mound as expected Thursday night against the Giants in Los Angeles.
Instead, he’ll start the season on the injured list with back stiffness.
Giants starter Johnny Cueto will start for the visiting squad after missing almost all of last season with his own 2018 elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers are calling up righty Dustin May, who will reportedly take the mound for Los Angeles in the first game of both teams’ 60-game seasons. The 22-year-old May debuted for the Dodgers just last August, starting four games and appearing in relief 10 times. He has a career record of 2-3, carrying an ERA of 3.63.
Kershaw has struggled with back issues throughout his career, hitting the injured list in four different seasons.
The longtime Dodgers ace has been a thorn in the Giants’ side for years. His 1.74 ERA against San Francisco is his lowest against any team he’s faced more than four times in his 12-year career.
May has faced the Giants twice, both times in relief last September. In both games, he set three batters down in order.
