Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

March 2 (The Sports Xchange) - Left-hander Clayton Kershaw will be the Dodgers' Opening Day starter against the San Diego Padres on April 6 at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly confirmed on Monday. Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, will be making his fifth straight Opening Day start. "I was prepared for it, but you never know. We've got a lot of good pitchers here," Kershaw said. "Now, I've got a goal date: April 6." - - - New York's Alex Rodriguez will have to wait a little longer before he plays in a "real" game for the Yankees after a 17-month layoff due to a suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug rules. Rodriguez, 39, was not on the travel roster for the Yankees' spring opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, ESPN reported Monday. He was in the lineup for Monday's intrasquad scrimmage in Tampa, going 0-for-2 against a pitching machine. - - - Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Monday named left-hander Jon Lester to be the opening night starter against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs signed former Red Sox ace Lester to a six-year, $155 million free agent contract in December. - - - Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto missed 100 games last season because of a knee injury, and as the Reds get ready to kick off their Cactus League season on Tuesday they will do so without Votto. Josh Satin will get the start against the Cleveland Indians, manager Bryan Price said Monday, because Votto is not up to "game speed." Price, however, said he doesn't think Votto will miss significant time as he recuperates and plays himself back in shape. - - - Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Corey Hart has battled knee injuries over the past few seasons, but Sunday's injury probably was a first. According to reports, the 32-year-old Hart injured his foot on a hot tub at the team's spring training complex. Manager Clint Hurdle said Hart needed three stitches and will be sidelined for a few days. Hart, who turns 33 later this month, signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million to back up Pedro Alvarez at first base. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))