Kershaw throws bullpen, Seager plays in the field

GLENDALE - When everyone from Andrew Friedman, Stan Kasten and Dave Roberts gather to watch a bullpen session, you figure it is someone important. This morning, Clayton Kershaw threw a 30-pitch bullpen which ended with all smiles from all around.

Russell Martin caught the bullpen and the two exchanged friendly remarks throughout the session which ended with handshake between the two battery mates.

Manager Dave Roberts spoke before Kershaw’s bullpen session and said that he expected it to be a regular 30-35 pitch bullpen and he was going to use his mix.

We’ll likely learn more later today or tomorrow on Kershaw’s next steps but it did appear to go well for Kershaw.

Corey Seager gets past another test

Corey Seager got a chance to play in the field for three innings in a intra-squad minor league game this morning on the backfields at Camelback Ranch.

While his fielding chances were limited to what was hit his way, he did make some throws while warming up and he also had a few at-bats.

Seager has had similar springs where his play was limited at the beginning, he said it was good to have something to look back at when he was preparing for this year. “Unfortunately it is becoming kind of the norm, but at least I know what to expect, how to prepare for it.”

Seager feels all right about his swing. “It is still early,” Seager said, “I think it was really my ninth AB maybe, so still trying to get comfortable in the box.”

Seager did say Walker Buehler was throwing hard yesterday during the live batting practice. “Most people don’t throw that hard in live BP,” Seager said, “he looked good though.”

Alex Verdugo doing everything right this camp

If you have read most prospect top 100s in the past few months, Alex Verdugo is right there with Keibert Ruiz as the top Dodger prospect. But there have also been some mentions of the same makeup concerns that have followed Verdugo since he was drafted.

Verdugo has 26 plate appearances so far this spring and he is hitting .280/.269/.400 with three doubles, four strikeouts and no walks or home runs.

“The numbers don’t reflect it but he has done a lot of good things,” Roberts said, “he’s practicing the way he should, he’s playing the way he should and I expect him to help us in various capacities this year and have a very good year.”

“Everyone has a different path and a different maturity growth, he’s growing up, he’s growing up,” Roberts said, “he’s got a really good support group, I’m proud of the way he’s handling himself.”

Roberts said while they are things that are out of Verdugo’s control like the Dodger roster construction and the outfield filled with proven major league players, he has done a better job taking care of what he can control this season.

Roberts impressed by May and Gonsolin

Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin have had their first real showcases for the major league staff this spring training and Dave Roberts has liked what he has seen from the two right-handed prospects,

“I’d seen composure, confidence and pitch-ability and really good stuff,” Roberts said about Dustin May, “just kind of the balance of having confidence but the openness to want to learn and keep his eyes around big league ballplayers.”

Roberts says May is not just a velocity guy, “he knows exactly what he’s trying to do to big league hitters, he can strike his secondary pitches, has weapons to attack guys left and right.”

Roberts said that while May is not finished product he would not be surprised if he came up and helped the Dodgers this year. And that would be the same with Tony Gonsolin.