LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has the green light for Wednesday to throw his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis.
Barring a setback, Kershaw, who last pitched on May 1, will throw a four-inning simulated game on Saturday. That would be followed by either a Minor League rehab assignment or a Major League start.
Rich Hill, who went on the disabled list on Sunday for another of his chronic blisters, taped the afflicted middle finger of his left hand and threw a bullpen session at full speed on Tuesday.
While that sounds counterintuitive for someone who could throw only two pitches in his Saturday start, Hill and manager Dave Roberts insist it's the proper course to take.
"What is Rich Hill doing? He's cooperating with the medical staff to let this thing heal, but he's keeping his arm in shape, which is very smart, having it covered up," Roberts said. "The plan is for him to continue to play catch, throw bullpens to keep his arm in shape and after that, I don't know what else.
"When he's not using it, it's not covered up to let it heal. They are using some agents to speed this process up. The 30 pitches he threw today shouldn't impede the process."
News and notes
• Alex Verdugo, the organization's No. 2-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, was removed from Oklahoma City's game on Tuesday in the third inning with a turned ankle.
The injury, which occurred when Verdugo made a throw from the outfield, is not believed serious and he was removed for precautionary reasons one inning after it occurred.
Verdugo hit .265 in a nine-game callup this year with the Dodgers while Yasiel Puig was on the disabled list and is batting .301 at Oklahoma City.
• Roberts said Player Page for Max Muncy has earned the playing time he is receiving. A non-roster invitee to Spring Training, Muncy has five homers and 15 RBIs in 28 games. Since Sunday, Muncy has batted first or second.
"He really knows the strike zone," Roberts said. "Early on, when we saw him, he was being exposed to the ball underneath, soft stuff below the zone. But he's adjusted. Played the cat-and-mouse with those pitchers and he knows exactly what he wants to do given a particular pitcher. He's young in service time, but he's very, very ahead of the game with where his mindset is at as a Major League ballplayer."
Muncy, called up when third baseman Justin Turner was injured, has moved across the diamond to play first base, with Cody Bellinger moving to center field. Muncy is getting time at leadoff because of the continued offensive struggles by Chris Taylor, who had a breakout season last year leading off, but is batting .241 this year with a spike in strikeouts.
"For us to be at our best is when we feel we can plug C.T. into the leadoff spot and don't look back," Roberts said. "For me right now, the on-base hasn't been there and so I think giving him a different look in the lineup, let the game come to him, he's actually performed better."