Baseball: Buehler to replace Kershaw in Dodgers fourth game against Diamond

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler threw a four-inning, 60-pitch simulated game Monday and told reporters afterwards he is set to start Sunday against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. Buehler could have been the choice to replace left-hander Clayton Kershaw as the team's Opening Day starter on Thursday, but he was slowed this spring by shoulder issues. He made one spring start, spanning 2 2/3 innings, on March 18.

He instead will start in the Dodgers' fourth game. Buehler, 24, went 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA in 24 appearances (23 starts) last season while finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year balloting. He struck out 151 in 137 1/3 innings with a 0.961 WHIP.

Hyun-Jin Ryu is scheduled to pitch Thursday on Opening Day against Arizona, ending an eight-year run by Kershaw in the team's season openers. Kershaw will begin the season on the injured list as he gets up to strength after dealing with shoulder inflammation.