With Clayton Kershaw behind schedule, Ross Stripling likely to begin season in Dodgers’ starting rotation

TEMPE, Ariz. — Ross Stripling’s latest Cactus League start came with some extra motivation.
While Clayton Kershaw continues to make progress toward game action, time is running out. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw threw 12 to 16 pitches on flat ground from 60 feet to a catcher in a crouch on Thursday. He still has to get off a mound, face live hitters, then build up his innings to a starter’s regimen in the span of three weeks in order to pitch on Opening Day.
Enter Stripling