PHOENIX _ Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw threw two innings in live batting practice in a tune-up before Cactus League play begins on the weekend. He threw 29 pitches and was able to use a curveball and a slider to complement his fastball.
"This day is always not the most fun, because you're low on adrenaline, and you have to try to be competitive," Kershaw said. "You try to create it as best you can. Overall, it went OK, so that's good. I got it out of the way now, so I can pitch in a real game."
Kershaw appears slated to pitch the spring-training opener Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. Kershaw declined to say when he would appear in a game, citing his preference for Manager Dave Roberts or pitching coach Rick Honeycutt to reveal the information, but the first game falls four days after his throwing session Monday.
The Dodgers are expected to slate Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda behind Kershaw in the rotation. The final two spots are being kept open for competition this spring.
