Brock Stewart shut down with sore shoulder

PHOENIX — Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart has been dealing with shoulder soreness and has been shut down for a week.

Manager Dave Roberts said he just learned of Stewart’s condition a few days ago, and is unsure if it was lingering from last season, when Stewart jumped three minor league levels and pitched 28 major league innings for the Dodgers, pitching 149 professional innings in total in 2016.

"He just got a little fatigued and there was some soreness in his shoulder,” Roberts said.

Stewart last pitched on March 4, allowing five runs in 1⅔ innings against the Cubs. He allowed two hits, including a home run, but also hit two batters and walked one. The right-hander has allowed seven runs on five hits in 3⅓ innings this spring, with one strikeout.

Stewart will likely resume his throwing program this week, but when he does, he is basically back at square one, Roberts said. It is unlikely Stewart will have time to build up as a starter in time for the start of the regular season. But Roberts didn’t rule out Stewart as a possibility in the bullpen. The right-hander pitched two games in relief for the Dodgers last season.

Split squad Sunday

The Dodgers have a day-night doubleheader on Sunday, playing the Royals in Surprise at 1 p.m., and the White Sox at Camelback Ranch at 7 p.m.

Clayton Kershaw starts the day game, and will be followed on the mound by Ralston Cash and Fabio Castillo. Kershaw will be the first Dodgers pitcher to bat this spring.

Alex Wood starts the nightcap, and will be followed by Ross Stripling, Grant Dayton, Adam Liberatore, and Chris Hatcher.

Several minor leaguers will suit up for the Dodgers on Sunday. Catcher Will Smith, the Dodgers’ supplemental first-round pick (No. 32 overall) in 2016, will play in the day game in reserve, along with infielders Brendon Davis and Matt Beaty and outfielder Kyle Garlick.

DJ Peters, the former Glendora High School star drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round last year, starts against the White Sox in center field. Others in uniform against the White Sox will be outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Johan Mieses, infielders Omar Estevez, Tim Locastro and Brandon Montgomery, and catcher Paul Hoenecke.

Lineups

at Royals
Utley 2B
Pederson CF
Turner 3B
Grandal C
Bellinger 1B
Culberson SS
Holt LF
Eibner RF
Kershaw P

vs. White Sox
Forsythe 2B
Puig RF
Gutierrez LF
Van Slyke 1B
Wilson C
Dickson DH
Taylor SS
Sweeney 3B
Peters CF

Game info

1 p.m.: at Royals
No TV/radio (KC broadcasts available on MLBtv and Gameday Audio)

7 p.m.: vs. White Sox
TV: SportsNet LA | Radio: 570 AM, 1020 AM