LOS ANGELES --- Andre Ethier showed he still has some spark in his bat during an "encouraging" batting practice on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
Ethier, who hasn't played a game for the Dodgers this season because of a herniated disk, took a few swings with Adrian Gonzalez, who is dealing with the same injury. After Gonzalez finished his session, he then went through a simulated game and took nine at-bats, finishing with a home run, manager Dave Roberts said.
"Andre took batting practice and looked really good," Roberts said. "I was looking at the intensity and he was kind of letting go. … Again, I think with Adrian and the same with Andre, just seeing the aggressive swings and seeing pitches come out the first time live. So that was a good step in the right direction for both of those guys."
Gonzalez was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Saturday, but Roberts said it was just a "procedural" move and the 35-year-old is still on schedule for a rehab assignment this week. Despite his impressive showing in batting practice, Ethier still has a few ways to go and the Dodgers don't expect him back until late August or September, Roberts said.
Kershaw to meet team in Arizona
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw continues to shown signs of progress in his back rehab, playing catch for the third straight day and doing more stretching, Roberts said. 
Kershaw will stay in Los Angeles while the Dodgers travel to Atlanta and New York. He will go to the Dodgers' Camelback facility in Arizona and rejoin the team in Phoenix when they face the D-backs for a three-game series from Aug. 8-10.
"We're going to send him to Arizona because of the flights," Roberts said. "It was more of the back where you're flying cross country and sitting versus an hour flight to then get on a plane to New York, but we got eyes on him in Arizona."