Kershaw to throw 3-inning simulated game

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game Saturday, which could be followed by a Minor League rehab start, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday.

Instead of making his ninth consecutive Opening Day start Thursday, Kershaw began the season on the injured list after encountering shoulder inflammation during Spring Training.

Roberts said Kershaw will face Dodgers hitters who are not starting Saturday night’s game against the D-backs.

“I would assume -- we’ll see how he comes out of it tomorrow -- after that, on his second day, he throws a side [session] and the next progression is a four- or five-inning rehab start, Double-A or Triple-A," Roberts said. "I’m not sure, but I think that’s the plan."

Roberts said he didn’t know if Kershaw would need one or two Minor League rehab starts before returning to the Dodgers' rotation.

“Honestly, I think that we’re going to let Clayton drive it,” Roberts said. “We don’t know. After one, he might feel he’s ready. He might feel he needs another one. We’re at a point where we understand the long view. We want him healthy to help us and to help himself. We’ll see how it goes.”

Worth noting

• Rich Hill, also on the injured list with a strained left knee, continued his throwing program, but he hasn’t thrown off a mound yet.

• Six Dodgers combined for eight home runs on Opening Day, a game started by Arizona right-hander Zack Greinke. In Game 2, started by Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray, players who hit four of those homers (Joc Pederson, Max Muncy and Austin Barnes) didn’t start. Pederson had two homers.

The Dodgers change lineups depending on the opposing pitcher. That’s their plan and they are sticking to it, as Chris Taylor replaced Pederson in left field, David Freese was at first base instead of Muncy and Russell Martin was behind the plate instead of Barnes.

“I already have an idea how we’re going to play this series and it’s a different pitcher and a different day,” Roberts said. “Joc had great at-bats in Spring Training, he’s had great at-bats against lefties and he’s going to face left-handers, too. As far as today, no.

“In the last few years we’ve continued to ascend come August and September. We’ve been very productive with guys off the bench. It’s part of a plan and sometimes it can be hard to deviate. I’m not saying that I’m in a box. It’s the second day of the season, you have to be able to stick to a plan, at least for a couple of days.”