PHOENIX -- The Dodgers got ready for Cactus League play with their final workout tune up on Wednesday, including a "situational game" on the back fields at Camelback Ranch.
Dodgers field coordinator Clayton McCullough threw all the pitchers in the situational game, which saw two lineups full of hitters take at-bats while going through simulated situations on defense and base running.
"This is a way for us to have a controlled intrasquad-type game," manager Dave Roberts explained. "The energy is good, but the focus is on execution, getting signs and that kind of stuff."
While the situational game was taking place on Field 1, some other Dodgers were taking live batting practice on Field 2, with Alex Wood and Brandon Beachy each throwing two simulated innings. Roberts said Wood will start on Monday with Beachy backing him up, though as pitchers increase their innings with progressive starts the two might not pitch on the same days.
Wood is the favorite for the fifth starter spot, though Roberts was reluctant to admit any of that publicly.
"I'm not trying to read much into it right now," Roberts said. "Guys are excited to compete."
The Dodgers' rotation for the Cactus League is pretty much set, with Clayton Kershaw starting the opener on Thursday against the White Sox. He will be followed by Scott Kazmir on Friday against Texas, then Kenta Maeda on Saturday against Arizona.
Starting pitchers will likely pitch two innings in their first start, though that could depend on how the first inning goes, Roberts said.
Brett Anderson is scheduled to start Monday, but one day after his live batting practice session on Tuesday Anderson felt something in his back and went for tests. Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has more. We'll probably find out more on Anderson's condition on Thursday.
Anderson had back surgery after the 2014 season.
In other pitcher injury news, Josh Ravin has successful surgery Tuesday on his left arm, and is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks.
Surgery went well.
— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) March 2, 2016
I appreciate everyone's support!
I'm So Lucky.
— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) March 2, 2016