Dodgers’ travel roster for Australia taking shape

PHOENIX -- The Dodgers’ travel roster for their season-opening series in Australia is taking shape.

As of now, Carl Crawford won’t make the trip. Crawford remains in waiting for the birth of his third child.

In Crawford’s absence, Scott Van Slyke figures to be the left fielder on opening day. Van Slyke is batting only one of eight in his career against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin, but Manager Don Mattingly likes the matchup between the right-handed-hitting Van Slyke and the left-handed Corbin.

Also, the Dodgers are planning to leave behind starter Dan Haren. That would mean Paul Maholm will be the emergency starter if Clayton Kershaw or Hyun-Jin Ryu is scratched from his start in the two-game series.

The Dodgers will play a day-night doubleheader Saturday, a day before they start their journey to the other side of the world. Asked whose idea that was, Mattingly said, “Not mine.”

Kershaw will pitch in the second game against the Chicago White Sox.

Seventeen-year-old pitching prospect Julio Urias will pitch an inning in relief in the first game against the San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers lineups:

vs. Padres, 1 p.m. PST

Dee Gordon 2B
Carl Crawford LF
Hanley Ramirez SS
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Andre Ethier CF
Tim Federowicz C
Mike Baxter RF
Miguel Rojas 3B
Sam Demel P

vs. White Sox, 7 p.m. PST

Yasiel Puig RF
Justin Turner SS
Scott Van Slyke 1B
Juan Uribe 3B
A.J. Ellis C
Alex Guerrero 3B
Joc Pederson CF
Chone Figgins LF
Clayton Kershaw P