For only the fifth time in his (now) 15-year MLB career, 34-year-old left-hander Clayton Kershaw will not be the Dodgers Opening Day starting pitcher.

Late Thursday morning, it was announced that 27-year-old right-hander Walker Buehler would be the Dodgers Opening Day starting pitcher for the first time in his (now) six-year MLB career on Friday, April 8, 2022, when the Dodgers open the 2022 season against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in downtown Denver.

“I think we all dream of getting to the big leagues, and I think for me, everything else besides that has been icing on the cake,” Buehler told MLB.com’s Juan Toribio following the announcement. “But it’s a cool opportunity and an honor, and I’m looking forward to it.”

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Dodgers Opening Day Starters Since 2011

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“Walker has a very good balance of respect for the game, the players that have earned that right, and Clayton in particular,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of his 2022 Opening Day starter. “You could have argued the last couple years, he could have been the Opening Day start … but I think right now is the time for him to take the ball on Opening Day.

“[Kershaw] and Walker have a great relationship. Outside of Walker, I think Clayton will be the second-happiest guy to see Walker take the ball on Opening Day,” Roberts added.

Buehler had equally high praise for Kershaw.

“Obviously, his run here of Opening Days and being as good as he’s been is something that we’re all extremely envious of and look up to him in a lot of ways,” Buehler said. “It’s kind of cool to be the next guy that does it.”

The Opening Day torch has officially been passed and remains in very capable hands.

Play Ball!

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