Dodgers set rotation for Padres rematch

The Dodgers’ focus will be on the two-game set against the Mariners that begins Monday, but Los Angeles already has an idea of how its starting pitching staff will line up for the four-game series against the Padres, which begins Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

Walker Buehler will get the start Thursday for the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw will follow Friday, Trevor Bauer gets the ball Saturday and Dustin May will start on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.

Buehler, Kershaw and Bauer are coming off starts against the Padres and all three fared well against a talented San Diego lineup. Buehler allowed two runs over six innings. Kershaw was the sharpest starter last weekend, tossing six scoreless innings. Bauer struck out seven and allowed one run over six frames.

The starting pitching dominance over the weekend wasn’t new to the Dodgers. Entering Monday’s game against the Mariners, the Dodgers’ starters have a combined 2.35 ERA. Dodgers starters have also been durable, pitching six or more innings in 14 of the 16 games this season.

With a scheduled off-day Wednesday, all four starters will be on extra days’ rest.

The Padres have not finalized their pitching rotation, but it’s safe to assume San Diego will have Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish and Blake Snell on the mound at some point throughout the weekend. Darvish and Snell each pitched against the Dodgers in the three-game weekend series at Petco Park.

Injury updates
Cody Bellinger, who has been on the injured list since April 6 with a hairline fracture on his left fibula, is with the team in Seattle and had a “good day of work” on Monday, according to manager Dave Roberts.

“Did some light jogging, took some swings, played catch. He’s going to take some balls off the bat, I think. So today was a good, considerable day,” Roberts said. “Hopefully he comes out of the day feeling good and just continues to progress.”

Bellinger was initially listed as day to day, but more tests revealed the fracture, so the star outfielder is now out indefinitely. Mookie Betts, who started in center field Monday, and Chris Taylor continue to fill in at the position in Bellinger’s absence.

As for right-hander Tony Gonsolin, there is still no update with his recovery, according to Roberts. Gonsolin was a reliever on the Opening Day roster, but right shoulder soreness landed him on the injured list before his first appearance.

Dodgers’ vaccination number
Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters on Monday that 10 teams have reached the 85% vaccination threshold. When asked whether the Dodgers were one of the 10 teams, Roberts said his team is “darn close” to reaching the number.

“I don’t know exactly,” Roberts said. "I think it includes the [alternate] site guys. So I don’t know the number, but I know we’re darn close, if not there.”

Clubs were informed just before Opening Day that MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to relax certain health and safety protocols in the 2021 Operations Manual for fully vaccinated Tier 1 individuals and for clubs where 85% of their Tier 1 Individuals are fully vaccinated. As part of that memo, players and staff were again strongly encouraged to receive one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines when eligible.

Roberts didn’t specify whether most players were fully vaccinated or still awaiting their second shot.