Kershaw, Buehler resume throwing in camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It was a good day on Sunday in the suboptimal Spring Trainings of Dodgers starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.

Kershaw, plagued by shoulder discomfort for two weeks, resumed throwing after resting on Saturday, while manager Dave Roberts issued an upbeat update.

“Kershaw is going to play catch today, stretch it out, ramp up the intensity. He feels good,” said Roberts. “Ever since last Monday, with some of the rest we’ve built in, he’s in a good place.”

Kershaw had been given medication after reporting discomfort in a bullpen session and live batting practice session, so maybe he’s responding positively to that.

“Just keep progressing,” Kershaw said.

Unlike previous catch sessions, when Kershaw wore workout gear and exchanged throws with conditioning coach Brandon McDaniel, Kershaw was in full uniform on Sunday and threw with all of the other pitchers in camp.

Meanwhile, Buehler threw a 20-pitch bullpen session using all pitches, his first session off a mound in two weeks.

Unlike Kershaw, Buehler’s unconventional schedule is not the result of injury, according to club officials, but a program designed to limit demands on his arm after a sharp spike in innings last year and a short offseason.

“I'm fine with it,” Buehler said of his tentative schedule. “I think when I talked to you guys a while ago, the way that I throw the ball, I feel that I can get going pretty quick. And once I get into games, it is all relative at some point. I felt good. The velocity is fine, right where I need to be.”

Whether either Kershaw or Buehler will actually be ready by Opening Day remains uncertain, despite club assurances.

Technically, Kershaw is still listed as the Opening Day starter for a ninth consecutive season. But he’s not even close to pitching in a game yet -- and the opener is 25 days away -- so he would need to rush back from injury, which is too much to risk at the start of.

Roberts insisted on Sunday that Buehler will be ready to start the season, but he hasn’t pitched in a game yet, either.

“With what he did last year, with his history [of Tommy John surgery], we’re kind of cautious with him,” said Roberts. “Just his awareness of his body, his delivery, gives us confidence. He sort of goes 100 percent every time he picks up a ball. Even when he’s playing catch, there’s a lot of intensity and effort, so we’re really not worried about Walker being able to be ready for the start of the season. Don’t know when he’ll make a start here, but [I] anticipate one soon. [He will probably throw a] couple bullpens, live BP and [then make] a start.”