Dodgers notes: Travel plans, Freeway Series, back fields action

PHOENIX — The last day of Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch is Wednesday, but for several regulars they will begin the trek back home one day early.

The Dodgers play split squad games on Tuesday — at home against the Padres, and on the road at Goodyear against the Reds — and many players have been cleared to head back to Los Angeles after their games tomorrow.

There will be what manager Dave Roberts called a “modified availability workout” at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday for those in town, in preparation for the Freeway Series.

Clayton Kershaw will stay until getaway day, slated to pitch three innings against the Mariners at Peoria, with Yasmani Grandal catching him.

Freeway Series

Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill will start Thursday and Friday, respectively, in Anaheim against the Angels, with Brandon McCarthy starting on Saturday at Dodger Stadium in the final game of the annual spring exhibition series between the Dodgers and Angels.

For Maeda and McCarthy, their starts will be shortened, tune-up starts, likely around three innings or 45 pitches. Hill, however, will be extended a little bit after throwing just 3⅔ innings on Saturday against the Athletics.

“We still need to ramp him up a little bit,” Roberts said.

Kenley Jansen pitched two innings in a minor league game on Monday morning, his first time pitching multiple innings in an appearance this spring. Up next for Jansen — which is the case for many relievers this week in preparation for the season — will be pitching on back-to-back days, likely on Thursday and Friday in Anaheim.

Seager update

Corey Seager played seven innings at shortstop in a minor league game on Monday against White Sox Triple-A players, going 2-for-5 at the plate after resting on Sunday.

The plan for Seager is to take Tuesday off then play again in a minor league game on Wednesday. He will miss the first two games of the Freeway Series in Anaheim as planned, then likely rejoin the Dodgers on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Seager is healthy, and hasn’t felt any tightness in his oblique. He is staying behind in Arizona to get more at-bats to prepare for the season.

“We want him to feel confident in the batters box,” Roberts said.

Kazmir excused

Roberts met with pitcher Scott Kazmir on Monday morning, and the pitcher will open the season on the disabled list, still dealing with hip issues, which have affected Kazmir’s delivery.

“Like I told him this morning, ‘We’ve got to figure this out’,” Roberts said. “It’s a good thing it’s not the arm or the shoulder, but we’ve got to get to the bottom of it.”

Kazmir was excused from camp by Roberts on Monday to deal with some travel issues, and is expected back Tuesday or Wednesday.

Notes

Pedro Baez also threw an inning in a minor league game on Monday.

Charlie Culberson will miss a few days, going home to be with his wife, who is about to give birth to their third child.