LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw threw his second bullpen session in three days on Sunday and continued to show signs of progression from his lower back strain injury, manager Dave Roberts said.
Kershaw tossed around 35 pitches in his first bullpen session on Friday, and he ramped up his pitch count to 50 on Sunday. The next step for Kershaw is to throw a two-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Roberts said, and the plan is for Kershaw to throw around 30 to 35 pitches during that simulated game.
With the way Kershaw has progressed, Roberts said the southpaw may only need one rehab start before returning to the team.
"I think we've been pretty cautious," Roberts said. "Which is most important. … We're in a good place with Clayton. So hopefully this next marker we pass and we can assess going forward."
Hatcher returns to bullpen
Righty Chris Hatcher has been activated off the 10-day disabled list and James Farmer has been optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, the club announced.

Hatcher comes off the 10-day disabled list after dealing with shoulder inflammation that landed him on the DL on June 23. Hatcher spent time in the Minors on a rehab assignment, appearing in five games (two starts) with Triple-A OKC and in Arizona with the Rookie-level AZL Dodgers, putting up a 1.50 ERA in six innings, striking out nine against just one walk.
"He's healthy, first and foremost," Roberts said about Hatcher. "The velocity, from what I understand in his rehab assignments, is back. Just to kind of get him back in the mix, some guys have been used in our 'pen lately. But to get him and [Luis Avilan] back in there is going to be a good thing."
Farmer, 26, made his Major League debut on July 30, delivering a game-winning double to beat the Giants. Roberts said he expects Farmer to rejoin the team at some point during the season. Farmer appeared in 10 games, mainly as a pinch-hitter, batting .400 with a double and two RBIs.