Notes: Kershaw's progress; Belli out vs. LHP

LOS ANGELES -- With 30 games left in the regular season, the Dodgers have plenty to look forward to as reinforcements start to come back from the injured list.

After Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin pitched in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Monday, manager Dave Roberts said it was a good day for the Dodgers.

“Tony went two innings and just looked really good, really sharp, and he was pretty excited afterward,” Roberts said. “We'll see how he comes out of it tomorrow. A three-inning stint with an affiliate is in his near future.”

Gonsolin landed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on July 31 in just his second month of the season. He missed the first two months of the season with the same ailment.

But the right-hander didn’t miss a beat when he slid into the rotation in June. Gonsolin has made nine starts this season, posting a 2.78 ERA through 35 2/3 innings.

The other good news of the day was Kershaw showing signs that he’s nearing his return to the active roster, as well. The southpaw last pitched vs. Washington on July 3, when he allowed three runs in four innings and struck out three.

"As far as Clayton, it was really good. I think I'm optimistic. I'm excited. He's excited,” Roberts said. “It was one inning, but he let it go. [He] threw a fastball, slider and [changeup] and we're all encouraged. The big tell, as far as the short term, is how he feels tomorrow. Assuming he feels good and recovers well, then we can kind of bump up the progression, but overall, a really good start to our day.”

Kershaw is eligible to return from the injured list on Sunday, but he still needs to check off a couple more items on his rehab list. Roberts said Kershaw, depending on how he feels after Monday, will throw another bullpen session and live game simulation.

Bellinger out against lefties

Cody Bellinger, whose batting average is below expectations, will not be in the starting lineup against left-handers for the remainder of the season, the Dodgers have decided.

"We have other guys that have performed really well all year long against left-handers,” Roberts said. “I think it gives Cody a day to reset when left-handers play. There might be times that I put him in there, but I think for the most part, I don't see him against left-handers at this time."

Bellinger, the 2019 National League MVP, has battled through injuries since last year’s National League Championship Series when he dislocated his right shoulder while celebrating his Game 7 home run against the Atlanta Braves.

The injuries have continued this season with a hairline fracture in his left leg sustained April 5 that forced him to miss 46 games. Then, less than three weeks after being activated, Bellinger was sidelined in mid-June with left hamstring tightness.

In the time that’s been on the active roster, Bellinger hasn’t performed at the plate. He has a career-low .171 batting average and has yet to reach double-digit home runs, with only nine this season.

He’s hit righties a lot better this year as he’s clubbed eight homers and notched 29 RBIs in 187 at-bats against right-handers. Against southpaws, Bellinger is hitting .129 with two extra-base hits.

“We have other guys that have performed,” Roberts said. “It'll give him time to get off his feet, work on the mechanics and get the body strong and be ready when called upon. This is where we're at with our ballclub."