Dodgers notes: Sergio Romo, Corey Seager, Julio Urias, Pedro Baez

PHOENIX — Sergio Romo threw a bullpen session Tuesday morning, his first since returning to Dodgers camp last Wednesday from the World Baseball Classic. Romo was battling a sore back.

"With Sergio and his track record, we're not too concerned. He pitched a lot this winter. As far as getting innings, it's not that important,” manager Dave Roberts said. We slow-played it with his back, but to get him back on the mound is a good thing.”

It was one of a number of bullpen sessions on Tuesday at Camelback Ranch.

Julio Urias threw a bullpen session, and the plan is for him to next pitch on Thursday on the back fields, either in a minor league game or simulated game. The Dodgers want Urias to build up to three innings with that start, and will do so in a more controlled environment.

Pedro Baez threw his second bullpen session in three days, working his way back after being sideline three weeks with a hand contusion.

Seager back on the field

Corey Seager, battling soreness in his oblique, was 0-for-3 in a game against Indians Class-A minor leaguers on Tuesday at Camelback Ranch, his first game action since on March 3.

Most importantly, he felt no discomfort in his side.

"It was nice to go full-go and have nothing,” he said.

Seager was the designated hitter on Tuesday, and after Wednesday’s off day figures to get five more at-bats on Thursday, playing five innings at shortstop as well. It hasn’t yet been determined when Seager might play in a game on the major league side of camp, though Tuesday was a nice step toward that.

This is the second spring Seager has been sidelined during spring training. Last year, he missed nearly three weeks with a sprained right knee. This year, Friday will mark three weeks since his last Cactus League game.

"It's a little bit of deja vu,” Seager sad. “It's not really fun, but it's nice to get back out there moving.”

Notes

Brock Stewart still hasn’t resumed playing catch, out with soreness in his right shoulder. He is limited to just strength and conditioning exercises at this point, with no timetable for his return. "It's getting better each day, but when he's going to pick up a baseball, I don't know,” Roberts said.

Clayton Kershaw has lowered his career ERA every season of his career so far. Ben Lindbergh at The Ringer took note, and found some other historical streaks.

Before the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic between the United States and Japan on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, former Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He will be presented the ball by Tommy Lasorda, his manager in 1995 and the first part of 1996, Nomo’s first two major league seasons after five years in Japan.

Sports Illustrated picked the Dodgers to beat the Indians to win the 2017 World Series.