MLB Rumors: Dodgers, Yankees Expected To Be Without Top Starting Pitchers On 2019 Opening Day

When the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees begin the 2019 MLB season, they aren’t expected to have their top starting pitchers on the mound. Both teams are dealing with injuries to their aces that will likely prevent them from playing on Opening Day.

Clayton Kershaw was briefly shut down early in spring training with a shoulder issue, and his status for the Dodgers’ first game is in doubt. The Yankees announced Tuesday that Luis Severino will be shut down for two weeks after an MRI showed rotator cuff inflammation, and manager Aaron Boone said it’s highly unlikely that the pitcher will be ready for the team's first contest.

Los Angeles will open the season on March 28 at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. New York is set to host the Baltimore Orioles on the same day.

Kershaw was initially named the Opening Day starter for a club-record ninth straight year. The three-time Cy Young winner has dealt with injuries in three straight seasons that have limited him to no more than 175 innings. The Dodgers will certainly be careful with the veteran as they plan to make sure he’s healthy for the playoffs.

“That’s fair,” Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts said Monday via MLB.com when asked if L.A. would likely need a new Opening Day starter.

“The main thing is he’s trending in the right direction, and when he’s game ready is when he’s game ready,” said Roberts, who noted that Kershaw was encouraged after playing catch.

Walker Buehler would probably get the start in place of Kershaw. He led all Dodgers’ pitchers with a 3.4 WAR last season.

Masahiro Tanaka might make the most sense to be the Yankees’ new Opening Day starter. Severino is likely headed to the disabled list with his latest injury.

Severino has made more than 30 starts in each of the last two seasons. He finished third in the 2017 AL Cy Young race but ended last year poorly after a strong first half.

Severino signed a four-year, $40 million contract this spring. The Dodgers gave Kershaw a three-year, $93 million contract in the fall before he could hit free agency.

The Yankees are tied for the best 2019 World Series odds. The Dodgers are the favorites in the NL after losing the Fall Classic in both 2017 and 2018.