Zack Greinke throws bullpen session, might start Wednesday

GLENDALE -- The Dodgers host the Athletics on a relatively uneventful Monday, but most of the news came on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. Zack Greinke threw a bullpen session on Monday morning and if all goes well after his fielding drills he could get the start on Wednesday against Arizona.

Greinke, depending on how his calf feels after Monday's efforts, could start Wednesday either against the Diamondbacks or in a simulated game. The other option to start Wendesday's Cactus League contest is Zach Lee, who last started on Friday.

"It's kind of up in the air with [Greinke]," manager Don Mattingly said. "If everybody feels like he's safer one way or another, we'll go that way."

On the mound for the Dodgers on Monday is Hyun-jin Ryu, who is expected to throw roughly 75 pitches, maybe a few more against Oakland. If Ryu lasts five innings, there won't be enough frames left over for the remaining relievers to all throw a full inning, but scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers today in relief are they money men in the bullpen: Kenley Jansen, Brian Wilson, J.P. Howell, Chris Perez and Brandon League.

Dee Gordon gets the start at second base, his third start at the position in the last four days. If you're keeping track, Gordon has played 40 Cactus League innings at second base compared to 31 for Alex Guerrero, and that's before Monday (in terms of Cactus League plate appearances, the team leaders are Chone Figgins with 28, Gordon and Dee Baxter with 27, and Guerrero with 26).

Today's game features leadoff hitters for both teams that are the top two base stealers in spring training so far. Gordon is 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts to lead baseball, while A's non-roster center field speedster Billy Burns, acquired in December from Washington for southpaw relief pitcher Jerry Blevins, is 7-for-9 in would-be thefts.

Mattingly thought it was a bit too early to address whether Gordon, if (when) he makes the team might bat leadoff in games he starts.

"We'll see if we get there. We're in hypotheticals, but we'll try a combination of guys, with Carl, Yasiel and if Dee's part of that equation," Mattingly said. "We've been talking a little bit more about the lineup, where we would like to go with it, righty-lefty."

Guerrero on Monday went with Matt Kemp to get more at-bats in an intrasquad game on the minor league side.

For the first time all spring the Dodgers' lineup card did not also include scheduled reserves. Mattingly said he would try to get most of the regulars an extra at-bat here and there when he can.

Blake Smith, the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2009 out of Berkeley, is in uniform from the minor league side for today's game, wearing No. 94. He converted from outfielder to the mound in 2013, and the right-hander put up a 7.78 ERA in 21 games in relief for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in his first year on the mound, with 19 walks and 12 strikeouts in 19... innings.

Other minor leaguers in uniform for the Dodgers today include pitcher Juan Gonzalez (No. 95) and outfielders Jon Garcia (88), Jacob Scavuzzo (89) and Trayvon Robinson (90).

Jarrod Parker starts on the mound for Oakland. Other A's pitchers who made the trip are Joe Savery, Luke Gregerson, Philip Humber, Matt Buschmann, Dan Otero, Arnold Leon and Deryk Hooker.