Clayton Kershaw, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, Brett Anderson throw simulated games.

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw hasn’t pitched since June because of a mild disc herniation in his lower back. (David Crane/Staff photographer)

DENVER >> Clayton Kershaw threw two innings in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. He pitched two innings to a group of hitters from Single-A Rancho Cucamonga who arrived just for the occasion.

Dodger pitchers Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson all threw simulated games Tuesday as well.

For Kershaw, “it was a great step in his progression,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

“He felt great after, which was obviously everything that we cared about,” Friedman said. “He said he wasn’t as sharp as he would want to be, but he’s always going to say that. The important thing is that he felt great. We’ll assess tomorrow what the next steps are.”

Kershaw is on the 60-day disabled list with a mild disc herniation in his lower back.
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What’s next for Clayton Kershaw after Tuesday’s sim game at Dodger Stadium?

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw will throw to Single-A hitters Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. (Getty Images)

DENVER — The only things missing from Dodger Stadium on Tuesday will be the simulated fans, simulated tickets, simulated pregame pomp and circumstance with the volume turned to 11, and the simulated rush of traffic entering and exiting the park.

Otherwise, there will be simulated baseball games for Clayton Kershaw, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson. Single-A Rancho Cucamonga will supply the simulated hitters.

For Kershaw, the sim game follows a 60-pitch bullpen session Friday at Dodger Stadium. It’s the first time he has faced live hitters since re-starting his throwing program as he tries to come back from a mild disc herniation in his lower back. Kershaw was 11-2 with a 1.79 earned-run average when he pitched his last game for the Dodgers in June.

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Bud Norris will start for the Dodgers on Thursday.

Bud Norris, who threw 5 ⅔ innings Saturday in a rehab start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, will start for the Dodgers Thursday in Philadelphia, manager Dave Roberts said.

Norris made only one rehab start after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right lat muscle. The right-hander allowed one run and four hits for Rancho Cucamonga, throwing 46 strikes among 59 pitches. His fastball topped out at 96 mph.

He’s effectively taking the rotation spot held by Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday with stiffness in his right hip.

Kenta Maeda and Scott Kazmir are starting Tuesday and Wednesday against the Phillies, respectively.

The Dodgers will keep Julio Urias and Ross Stripling on the active roster as long relievers along with Brock Stewart, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier Sunday. Stewart took over for Brett Anderson after one inning Sunday.

Dodgers activate Brett Anderson, recall Brock Stewart in latest roster shuffle.


The Dodgers welcomed Brett Anderson back to the active roster, and Brock Stewart back to the major leagues, on Sunday. The two pitchers were added to the active roster for today’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For Anderson, it’s his first major league start since Game 3 of the National League Division Series last year. For Stewart, it’s his third major league call-up of 2016. The right-hander will serve as a long reliever along with another pair of rookies, left-hander Julio Urias and right-hander Ross Stripling.

One of the Dodgers’ corresponding moves was not a surprise.

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Game 115: Dodgers flip the script, fall short against Pittsburgh Pirates.

Joc Pederson

Joc Pederson reacts to being called safe in the Dodgers’ 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. (Associated Press photo)

The Dodgers reversed the script, getting a long start from Ross Stripling and little help from their lineup, in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The box score is here.

Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson are starting this weekend.