PHOENIX -- Saturday was the first day of official workouts for Dodgers pitchers and catchers, with 15 different pitchers throwing bullpen sessions on the back fields at Camelback Ranch, with the remainder of pitchers scheduled for Sunday. But one pitcher won't be on the weekend throwing schedule, as Brooks Brown is dealing with right shoulder soreness.
Brown spent two stints on the disabled list in 2015 with the Rockies with right shoulder inflammation, missing two weeks in May, then six more weeks from June into July.
"The offseason was kind of a recovery. I dealt with some arm issues at the end of last year, and I'm trying to get those things ironed out. I'm not quite ready yet, but it will be soon," Brown said. "I'm just trying to get 100-percent healthy before I ramp up."
The Dodgers claimed Brown off waivers from the Rockies on Oct. 14, but then was sent outright to Triple-A on Dec. 4. Brown, now off the 40-man roster, is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He characterized his early part of camp as easing into his workload.
"They are going to give him a few extra days to make it calm down and make him feel a little bit better, but we don't have a timetable," manager Dave Roberts said.
Brown had a 4.91 ERA in 36 games in relief for the Rockies in 2015, with 20 strikeouts and 16 walks in his 33 innings.
"It didn't really affect me until the very end of the season. I just tried to grind through the last month," Brown said. "Hopefully I can turn the page and start anew."
Notes
Clayton Kershaw was among the 15 pitchers to throw a bullpen Saturday. It is clear he is the ace of the staff, though Roberts played coy when asked to officially name his opening day starter. "It makes a lot of sense [for Kershaw to start]," Roberts said, smiling, "but we're going to wait to make it a little more formal."
In all, 29 of the 34 Dodgers pitchers in camp were scheduled to throw a bullpen session either Saturday or Sunday, the every-other-day schedule prevalent so early in the spring. Joining Brown on the figurative sidelines are Brandon McCarthy, Lisalverto Bonilla, Hyun-jin Ryu and Frankie Montas, all recovering from surgery.
Josh Ravin, on the list to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, had the flu and was sent home on Saturday. "We want to keep the clubhouse as healthy as we can," Roberts said.
Scott Van Slyke and Yasiel Puig were among the position players to arrive in camp on Saturday, well before Wednesday's reporting date. Several position players are already in camp, including Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Kiké Hernandez and Chase Utley, to name a few.