Dodgers' Kershaw says he "felt great" after throwing his first bullpen session

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw said he "felt great" after throwing his first bullpen session Monday in nearly three weeks. Kershaw, who has been slowed by shoulder inflammation, threw 20 fastballs -- nine from the windup and 11 from the stretch. It was his first time on a mound since Feb. 20.

"Good day, good step forward, for sure, and just kind of keep going forward from here," Kershaw said. "Felt great. It was another good day. I'll take that right now, just keep moving forward from here and start building up." Manager Dave Roberts has conceded it is unlikely that the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner can build up in time to pitch March 28 on Opening Day, which would end Kershaw's club-record streak of starting eight consecutive season openers.

"Yes and no, I guess," Kershaw said, responding to whether starting the opener mattered to him. "Yes because I've got a little streak going and just the history behind it is pretty cool. But no in the fact that it's not worth just one game out of (many), so you got to kind of weigh that back and forth. Yes and no." Kershaw's next bullpen session is expected to be Wednesday or Thursday, when he is expected to mix in breaking pitches. Kershaw, 30, is entering his 12th season, all with the Dodgers. He has a lifetime record of 153-69 with a 2.39 ERA. He has 2,275 strikeouts in 2,096 1/3 innings.

 

(With inputs from agencies.)