Kershaw unimpressed by first 'pen session of spring

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The reigning best pitcher in baseball took the mound Friday with the first set of Dodgers pitchers to throw bullpen sessions.

Clayton Kershaw made 30 pitches to catcher A.J. Ellis. Kershaw was typically unimpressed.

"I'm healthy and feel great, but it was a pretty bad [bullpen session]," said Kershaw. "I hope the next one is better. I was all over the place, but my arm and body feel good."

Ellis saw it differently.

"He was really good," said Ellis. "I think he's ahead of us and just waiting for us to catch up."

Kershaw said he had four or five bullpen sessions at a local high school in Dallas that has a turf mound.

"This was the first time on dirt for me," he said. "It was good to be out there throwing to a big league catcher."

Kershaw said he tried to keep with his "normal" offseason throwing regimen, although his offseason was anything but normal. Instead of the annual winter pilgrimage to Zambia and the orphanages he and his wife, Ellen, have built, the couple remained in Texas for last month's birth of their first child.

"I spent a lot more time at home this winter," he said.

Also throwing bullpen sessions Friday were Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson, Brandon League, Erik Bedard, Joe Wieland, Chris Hatcher, David Huff, Juan Nicasio, Daniel Coulombe, Carlos Frias, Adam Liberatore, Josh Ravin and Ryan Buchter.

Sergio Santos was sent home sick.