PHOENIX — There was no formal meeting, no grand announcement or ceremonial declaration.
Instead, the changing of the guard occurred in a brief conversation between manager and pitcher at the Dodgers’ spring training complex this week.
Walker Buehler will be the team’s opening day starter when the season kicks off on April 8 in Colorado, manager Dave Roberts announced Thursday, giving the 27-year-old right-hander his first career opening day nod — and marking the first time in more than a decade that Clayton Kershaw won’t pitch the season opener for a reason other than injury.
