The Los Angeles Dodgers took the next step in their Spring Training workouts on Tuesday in preparation of Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Chicago White Sox.
Pitchers and batters participated in live batting practice for the first time this spring, as Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw toed the rubber against the likes of Yasiel Puig and Chris Taylor, among others.
The newest Dodgers reliever, left-hander Scott Alexander also faced hitters, one of which was Corey Seager, giving the Dodgers coaching staff the first look at his highly-touted sinker.
Despite the team playing one game on Friday and two on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said the Kershaw will not pitch in any of those games. He will start a game Sunday at the earliest, as the plan is to ease him into things a bit this spring.
Roberts did announce Wilmer Font is set to take the mound in the Cactus League opener, with the right-hander expected to complete one or two innings.
Ross Stripling, who spent much of the 2017 season in the bullpen but is being built up as a starter this spring, will then start one of the two split-squad games on Saturday.
The Dodgers also received some good news Tuesday morning as top prospect Walker Buehler came out of his first bullpen session without aggravating his back injury. Barring any setbacks, Buehler is set to take the mound again on Thursday.
Nonetheless, the plan remains to take a steady approach with the young prospect, as he’s still building up an innings base since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
One pleasant sight to see in camp so far this spring has been the presence of 85-year-old Maury Wills. The former MVP is back once again at Camelback Ranch to work with Dodgers hitters on their bunting.
