On Monday afternoon, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made official what all of us have known for quite some time – Dodgers ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw will not make what would have been his ninth consecutive Opening Day start.

“Talking to Clayton and, obviously, looking at the schedule, he’s not going to start Opening Day,” Roberts told reporters on Monday. “To build him up and when he’s ready to pitch for us is when he’s going to pitch for us. He’s supportive and he understands he wants to put himself in the best position to help himself and the ballclub. When’s he’s built up to where he feels he can help us, then it’s moot. We’re all on the same page.

“I think [the Opening Day streak] is definitely a feather in Clayton’s cap. But it’s not just about making an Opening Day start to add to your streak. It’s about being healthy and giving your team a chance to win,” Roberts added. “He’s in support of it. We are as well because we do have to take the long view and do what’s best for the player.”

Even though Monday’s announcement came as a surprise to no one, Roberts – and Kershaw – kept fans’ hopes alive when as recently as Sunday, there was still talk that the Dallas, Texas native and Dodgers 2006 first-round draft pick (who will celebrate his 31st birthday on Tuesday) might do the ‘opener’ thing that seems to be gaining in popularity these days. But alas, this was little more than wishful thinking and never really got off the ground.

When asked if Kershaw would begin the 2019 season on the Dodgers 25-man roster, Roberts was quite specific in his answer.

“If we don’t see him as a starter, then it’s probably unlikely,” Roberts said.

What Roberts didn’t say is who would replace Kershaw, both on the roster and as his Opening Day starter. “That’s the next question,” he replied.

But the news on Monday wasn’t all bad … sort of. According to the Dodgers skipper, right-hander Walker Buehler is “still in the mix” to possibly start the 2019 season on March 28 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. That being said and with the extremely popular 24-year-old Lexington, Kentucky native and Dodgers 2015 first-round draft pick scheduled to make his first Cactus League start on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Indians at Camelback Ranch, it is very unlikely that Buehler would go deep into the season opener if he indeed gets to start.

Stay tuned…

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