PHOENIX -- With Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood on track to throw a simulated game Saturday in Los Angeles, the Dodgers resumed play Friday with manager Dave Roberts dealing with a new injured player, outfielder Trayce Thompson, who is dealing with lower back irritation.
Thompson was out of the starting lineup for the opener against Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin and Roberts said a disabled list stint is a possibility. That could coincide with the anticipated return of center fielder Joc Pederson from a slight shoulder separation. Roberts said Pederson will play a three-game rehab stint with Oklahoma City this weekend and rejoin the Dodgers on Tuesday. Scott Van Slyke started in center in the Dodgers' 13-7 win over the D-backs.
"I don't want to call it an oblique, but a little nagging something is going on," Roberts said of Thompson, who went 5-for-35 on the recent homestand and saw his average sink to .225. "It occurred when he took a swing Sunday against the Padres. With the four days [over the All-Star break], maybe give him an extra couple days to see where he's at. I don't want to put him in harm's way to get it right."
As for Kershaw (lower back) and Wood (triceps), Roberts said the sim games against hitters from Class A Rancho Cucamonga would be roughly 60 pitches/four innings. Roberts again wouldn't confirm a return date to the rotation for Kershaw. But a sim game Saturday, followed by a bullpen session Monday, would set him up to start Thursday in Washington. Brett Anderson (back surgery) will throw a sim game Tuesday.
Utilityman Enrique Hernández is still feeling soreness and local pain in his side with throwing and swinging the bat, Roberts said. Hernandez, who has been rehabbing at the club's Spring complex, worked out with the club at Chase Field on Friday.
Ken Gurnick