Cactus League report: David Ross isn’t ready to name the Cubs’ opening-day starter, while Lucas Giolito is keeping a ‘singular’ focus for his opening start for the White Sox

The Dodgers announced Clayton Kershaw will be their opening-day starter for a franchise-record ninth time. Kershaw, who turns 33 on Friday, will be a free agent after 2021 but said he’s open to returning. … Former White Sox pitcher and first-round draft pick Carson Fulmer was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Cincinnati Reds, whose pitching coach, Derek Johnson, recruited Fulmer when he coached at Vanderbilt. … Cubs outfielders Joc Pederson and Rafael Ortega were tied with the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso for the lead in spring training RBIs with nine apiece through Sunday. Pederson led in home runs with five and also tied for the most hits (12). … Greg Bird appears to be on track to win a job with the Colorado Rockies. Once touted as a future star with the New York Yankees, Bird hit a walk-off home run Sunday in a 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. … Yu Darvish has not allowed a run in his first two outings with the Padres, with seven strikeouts and no walks over five innings. “Changeup, bueno,” catcher Victor Caratini told reporters while interrupting Darvish’s Zoom interview. … Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun told Milwaukee reporters Monday he is “strongly leaning” toward retirement but leaving the door open for now.