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Dodgers spring training notes Day 1: Brett Anderson, Hyun-jin Ryu, Chris Hatcher, David Aardsma

Andrew Friedman and Don Mattingly met with the media on Thursday, the day pitchers and catchers reported to Camelback Ranch in Glendale.
Andrew Friedman and Don Mattingly met with the media on Thursday, the day pitchers and catchers reported to Camelback Ranch in Glendale.
Photo: Eric Stephen | True Blue LA

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers spring training camp began on Thursday with everyone expected to report showing up at Camelback Ranch. That meant 36 different pitchers and catchers reporting on time. The only person not yet in camp is closer Kenley Jansen, who had foot surgery on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in Arizona at some point this weekend.

There were a few stories and interviews that will get their own posts, but here are some other news and notes from Day 1 of spring training:

  • In addition to the pitchers and catchers, several position players arrived early to camp, including Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Corey Seager, Scott Schebler and O'Koyea Dickson.
  • The Dodgers made official on Thursday the signing of David Aardsma to a minor league deal. The non-roster invitee is wearing number 58.
  • Brett Anderson has recovered enough from August back surgery to throw "four or five" bullpen sessions this offseason leading up to camp. "There shouldn't be any limitations," he said. "I don't have any limitations now and I feel just as good or better than I have in previous spring trainings."

    Andrew Friedman, who signed the injury-prone Anderson to a $10 million, one-year contract in December, added, "The upside if you're able to get him through the season is tremendous."
  • Hyun-jin Ryu has been in Arizona since January, trying to get a head start on 2015, said he is in better shape physically than in his first two spring trainings with the Dodgers. Ryu, who threw bullpen sessions and worked out with the LG Twins for the last month, reiterated Thursday that his goal was to pitch 200 innings in 2015, after injuries limited him to 152 frames last year.
  • I asked Chris Hatcher if he had put any thought into possibly closing games in place of the injured Kenley Jansen to open the regular season, but the new Dodgers reliever said he has two simple goals in camp.

    "First and foremost, I just want to make the team. Second of all, just to be ready when they call my name," Hatcher said. "They haven't really expressed anything to me, and I'm not expecting [to close]. I'm just preparing to be ready to take the ball."
  • Clayton Kershaw has started four straight opening days for the Dodgers. When asked if manager Don Mattingly had spoken to him yet about starting a fifth straight opening day, Kershaw said, "No. We talked dad stuff."

    Mattingly and his wife had a baby in November, while Kershaw's wife gave birth to their first child in January.