Kershaw pain-free after 20-pitch bullpen session

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Clayton Kershaw stood on a mound and fired 20 fastballs in the direction of Russell Martin on Monday morning, a light workout that represented the ace lefthander's first bullpen session in nearly three weeks. Kershaw merely described it as "a good step forward," but longtime Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt went so far as to call it "excellent," expressing some of the hope that still rings throughout the organization.

"Kershaw with no pain is going to be a great Kershaw," Honeycutt said. "He's been feeling good and throwing the baseball, and it showed today -- just kind of a nice, smooth delivery; not overdoing it."

Kershaw, who hadn't thrown off a mound…