Kershaw baffles hitters in first live BP session

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers pitchers threw live batting practice Monday for the first time this spring on Monday, and the lucky batters to draw Clayton Kershaw first out of the chute were Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Hanley Ramirez and Carl Crawford.

"Aw man, the first curveball, that can mess up your whole day," moaned Kemp.

"Is that Koufax?" asked Jerry Hairston, who was in the second hitting group.

Most of the players simply tracked pitches without swinging.

"A couple guys took swings," said catcher A.J. Ellis, "and they were embarrassed."

Manager Don Mattingly said these are the days hitters hate the most, and Kershaw helped explain why.

"I try to get a lot out of this," he said. "I treat it like a game. That's how you get your work in. I've got to go full bore to figure out my mechanics. I give it all I got. When hitters are in there, it's hard for me to tone it down.

"The best comment I got was from Hairston. He said I'll be a good player one day. That's a nice comment from the salty vet on the team."