If there was one word to describe the atmosphere in the Dodgers clubhouse at their Camelback Ranch spring training facility on Saturday morning when pitchers and catchers officially reported, it would be ‘euphoric.’

“It’s great to be back,” said a slimmer and trimmer A.J. Ellis. “It’s a great feeling pulling in the complex seeing all the guys. It’s a long grind ahead of you and it all starts today.”

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis is all smiles as he checks in on Saturday morning when pitchers and catchers reported to kickoff spring training 2014. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Among the first to check in was left-handed pitching prospect Jarret Martin, who was clearly excited to be attending his first big league camp.

“It’s great to be here,” said the 24-year-old Bakersfield native. “I can’t wait to get started.” And with that, Martin and fellow pitching prospects Carlos Frias and Jose Dominguez (among others) were out the door to throw the ball around.

Carlos Frias and Jose Dominguez get in a little throwing on Saturday morning after reporting in. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Although Saturday was the official check-in day, most of the veteran pitchers and catchers came in to arrange their lockers and left, with their first full workout scheduled for Sunday morning. A few, however, took the time to speak with reporters – including defending 2013 NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.

“I always take six weeks off from throwing no matter what,” Kershaw said. “I took my six weeks and started throwing right around the first week of December. My arm feels great, my body feels great and I’m ready to go.”

Asked about starting the season in Australia Kershaw said what a number of Dodgers players said.

“Obviously I want to go see the country, go there to see Sydney, the city would be awesome,” Kershaw said. “I’d love to go there on vacation, I don’t really want to go pitch there but that’s what we’re signed up to do so we’re going to have to get ready to do it.”

Although Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wouldn’t come right out and say that Kershaw and co-ace Zack Greinke will start the two games in Australia, he all but said it.

“Kersh is our number one guy, that’s not that hard to say,” said Mattingly. “And Zack (Greinke) kind of winds up there right next to him and Hyun-jin (Ryu) is not too far behind. Those are our guys and we’ll move forward accordingly.”

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is eager to get going with spring training knowing that he has exactly 31 workout days to get his team ready for the season opener in Australia.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo).

One thing that Mattingly did seem a lot more certain of is that Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp most likely will not be ready to play in Australia.

“It doesn’t look like (it),” said Mattingly of Kemp playing in Sydney. “We’re trying to be careful with Matt and making sure once he’s started that he is going to be able to go. I can’t rule him out but I know we’re going to be careful with him and make sure we’re not pushing him forward. I don’t think he’s done any running outside yet so he doesn’t look like he’s going to be ready for Australia.”

Mattingly also dispelled a couple of off-season rumors that have been going around, most notably that Yasiel Puig was going to be his lead-off batter to begin the season.

“I really like getting (Puig) extra at bats,” Mattingly said. “It’s kind of like a (Mike) Trout thing. You think you know what this guy can be. You know that the talent level is at an area that he’s probably not a lead-off guy eventually. It could be this year that he’s not and it could be another year of where he’s at. I’m not going to sit here and say who’s going to lead off, I’m not sure of that.”

Another rumor that Mattingly put to rest was that left fielder Carl Crawford does not want to lead off, as had been reported by the national media.

“Carl’s never said that, not once did he say he didn’t want to hit lead off,” said Mattingly. “He’s been great with it. I hate hearing people just kind of spit out old news. Carl has not once in the whole time he’s been here complained about anything.”