SEOUL, South Korea — The Kiwoom Heroes had a secret weapon.
Right-hander Ariel Jurado started for the Korean team in Sunday’s exhibition game (Saturday night PT) against the Dodgers at their home stadium, Gocheok Sky Dome. The Heroes were overmatched, losing 14-3 and getting outhit 17-6.
But Jurado faced Shohei Ohtani twice and struck him out both times. Ohtani came out of the game after those two at-bats.
“I faced him when I was with Texas,” Jurado said afterward. “He’s great. He’s the best player in the major leagues.
“I think I used the same sequence like when I was in the major leagues – some fastballs up. He swung – thank you for me.”
Jurado’s major-league career consisted of 44 games with the Texas Rangers in 2018 and 2019 and one with the New York Mets in 2020. During that time, Jurado faced Ohtani more times than any other batter and held him to a .182 (2 for 11) batting average.
“He’s one of the best players in the major leagues every year,” Jurado said.
FIFTH STARTER
The Dodgers have apparently found their fifth starter.
Right-hander Michael Grove got the start against the Kiwoom Heroes on Sunday and pitched the first two innings, retiring all six batters he faced. That is an indication of the role Grove will assume to start the regular season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged.
“I think so,” Roberts said. “I mean, Michael, to be able to go one inning, two innings, three innings, to be sort of a bridge guy right now makes a lot of sense given the construction of our pitching.
“He is certainly a viable option for the ’pen for us to start the season.”
That leaves Gavin Stone to assume the fifth starter spot until Walker Buehler is ready to make his return from Tommy John surgery (most likely in May). Stone has pitched well this spring, allowing just one run on five hits and walk while striking out nine in 9⅔ innings.
It’s a far cry from last season, when Stone found it rough going in his first…
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