No lingering issues for Kershaw after return

NEW YORK -- There were no physical issues the day after for Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who felt well enough to pitch on flat ground before Sunday's game.
Kershaw pitched three innings against the Mets on Saturday night, and feeling well the day after a start is not a given. His previous start on May 31 followed a disabled-list stint for biceps tendinitis, and after that game he went right back on the DL with a lower back strain.
He came off the disabled list to start Saturday night, allowed two runs in three innings, then threw a fourth inning in the indoor batting cage. Manager Dave Roberts said a bullpen session Monday for Kershaw will determine if he makes his next start on regular rest Thursday or with an extra day on Friday.
If Kershaw needs the extra day, Roberts said, rookie Caleb Ferguson will start on Thursday. Ferguson followed Kershaw on Saturday night with four scoreless innings to pick up his first Major League victory.

Extra bases
• Walker Buehler made 17 pitches off the bullpen mound Sunday, his first true test since going on the disabled list June 9 with a microfracture of a right rib. There is no indication when Buehler will return to the rotation and there seems to be no rush, as the Dodgers had expected to back off him at some point in the season to limit his innings.
• Chris Taylor remains day to day with a tight hamstring and is available for pinch-hitting, and Roberts reiterated that the club does not intend to put him on the DL. Roberts said the impressive play of Kiké Hernández, who is replacing Taylor at shortstop, also allows time for Taylor on the bench. Taylor drove in two runs Saturday night as a pinch-hitter. Hernandez squeezed home a run and scored twice. On Friday, Hernandez singled and stole a base.
• Roberts acknowledged that the club is not getting the expected offense from catchers Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes. He said Barnes' confidence is being tested and that he was encouraged to see Grandal draw his first walks of the month Saturday night.
"Production is certainly down at the catching position, but we expect both of our guys to be offensive," Roberts said. "It's probably just a perfect storm right now, that's what we're hoping, and it turns."