Ross Stripling went into Spring Training this year in the familiar role of serving as depth for starting rotation and a versatile relief pitcher. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts identified Stripling as the pitcher who would fill in if a member of the rotation was injured.
That became a reality when Clayton Kershaw fell victim to shoulder inflammation, which rendered him incapable of extending his franchise record with a ninth consecutive start. Kershaw began on the 10-day injured list, and Stripling started the second game of the season.
He turned in a strong outing and looked to build on that Wednesday night against the San Francisco Giants.