The Latest Breaking News from Dave Roberts

CHICAGO — When it has come to Clayton Kershaw’s health in recent years, the biggest question hasn’t been if the left-hander can avoid injury, but rather when — and for how long — he’d go down with an ailment.

The manager wasn't to blame this time. The front office wasn't either.

LOS ANGELES — When he bought the New York Mets two offseasons ago, billionaire owner Steve Cohen cited the Los Angeles Dodgers as an organization to emulate, eager to model his own club after the heavy-spending, consistently-winning, big-market behemoth on the opposite coast.

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers announced good and bad injury news ahead of their series-opener against the New York Mets on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH — Most of the American sports over which we obsess have their own established rhythms, the times set metronomically into place for practice, for games, for training, even for soothing ourselves from a harsh world by talking sports in lieu of talking life.

PHOENIX — He showed flashes as a rookie, but then regressed last year.

PHOENIX — So far this season, Edwin Rios’ biggest challenge has been simply staying ready, trying to keep himself sharp between sporadic starts.

LOS ANGELES — It begins with the first chords of "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses, Slash's opening guitar riff echoing around Dodger Stadium.

PHOENIX — The game was so out of hand by the eighth inning, relief pitcher Evan Phillips had a plate appearance … and drew a walk.