Kershaw plays catch; Puig returns from DL

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw played catch, Yasiel Puig returned to the starting lineup, Justin Turner hit in a simulated game and the Dodgers front office made six roster moves on a busy Wednesday.
Kershaw, placed on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday with left biceps tendinitis, played soft catch with a trainer for five minutes, stretching out to 60 feet. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, however, said it's too soon to guess when Kershaw will return.
"I'm encouraged that it went well," Roberts said.
Roberts had no report on Kershaw's workout, although the ace didn't appear to be in any discomfort. Roberts said Kershaw still has "a progression" in his rehab before his activation is considered.
Puig was activated off a 10-day DL stint for a bruised left hip and ankle, setting in motion a series of moves. Included was rookie outfielder Alex Verdugo being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Verdugo hit .265 with a .688 OPS and one RBI over nine games.
"He's obviously a part of what we're doing," Roberts said of Verdugo. "He came up because of an injury, but to have him playing every day makes a lot of sense. Want him playing every day, not just be a bat off the bench."

Left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani, who pitched a scoreless 11th inning Tuesday night, was placed on the 10-day list with left shoulder inflammation, but Roberts insisted the injury is minor and called the move precautionary. To replace Cingrani, who complained of dead arm in April, left-hander Scott Alexander was recalled. Alexander opened the season with the Dodgers but was sent down with a 6.35 ERA and nine walks over 11 1/3 innings.
Finally, right-handed reliever Yimi García, who allowed Daniel Descalso's game-winning three-run homer in the 12th inning on Tuesday night, was optioned to Triple-A and Brock Stewart was recalled for the third time this month. On Friday night, Garcia threw a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts in the first combined no-hitter in franchise history. Roberts said management is trying to protect Garcia in his first season after Tommy John surgery.
Turner is moving closer to a return. He will face another Minor League pitcher in a simulated game on Thursday and then probably begin a Minor League assignment. Roberts estimated that Turner would be activated when the Dodgers are in Washington late next week.
"He took maybe 10 at-bats," Roberts said. "Looks really good. Now, it's a timing thing."

Dodgers announce bat girl
• Carla Cammack of Fountain Valley, Calif., has been selected as the honorary bat girl for the Dodgers' Mother's Day game on Sunday against the Reds at Dodger Stadium.
Each MLB club will recognize the annual "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative this month. As part of that, the honorary bat girls were selected by the clubs for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to battling breast cancer.
Cammack is a 20-year survivor of Stage 3 breast cancer. A routine mammogram in 1997 detected a lump that turned out to be Stage 3 breast cancer. Her treatment included two surgeries a week apart, nine months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation.
Louisville Slugger will donate proceeds from the sale of game-used pink bats, which will be stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo, to Susan G. Komen and Stand Up To Cancer. MLB will again donate its licensed uniform royalties through Mother's Day apparel to Susan G. Komen and Stand Up To Cancer.