LOS ANGELES ― Andrew Heaney still has a 0.00 earned-run average in 2022, sim games included.

The left-hander pitched to batters Monday for the first time since he was placed on the injured list April 20 with discomfort in his shoulder. Heaney faced four batters each in two simulated “innings.” He struck out every one.

“I want to judge it based on how I feel,” Heaney said. “Certain pitches I threw maybe got a swing and miss, but it didn’t feel good coming out of my hand. Or a certain pitch that maybe a guy squares up, but it felt good coming out of my hand. The process is right; then it’s just about execution.”

Heaney pitched to teammates Kevin Pillar and Hanser Alberto, and two prospects on loan from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga: Marco Hernandes and Gaige Howard. He was limited to approximately 35 pitches.

Heaney might not be done facing California League hitters this week. His minor league rehabilitation assignment is expected to begin Saturday, when Rancho Cucamonga is at home. Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City both have road games in Texas.

Heaney’s initial rehab outing is expected to last three innings. That puts him on track to rejoin the Dodgers in two weeks, potentially. The shoulder injury, for now, is firmly in Heaney’s past.

“I don’t feel anything,” he said. “It’s nothing I’m really thinking about. I’ve shifted my focus more toward competing, getting back to executing pitches.  I’m not thinking about health.”

NEW PLAN FOR KIMBREL

For closer Craig Kimbrel, save opportunities have been anything but regular this season. Once, he pitched on six days’ rest despite being healthy in the meantime. He’s pitched on five days’ rest on four occasions.

Pitching in a rare non-save situation Friday following five days of rest, Kimbrel allowed two runs in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He then picked up his 10th save of the season Sunday despite allowing a run in his only inning of work.

From now on, manager Dave Roberts said he will use Kimbrel in non-save situations to keep him on a more regular schedule.

“We’re not going to go more than three days without (Kimbrel) pitching,” Roberts said. “If he doesn’t pitch for a series, he’ll be in the next day regardless of the situation. I think it’s on all of us to make sure he pitches consistently. If he does that, I think the performance will mirror that.”

Acquired on April 1 to replace Kenley Jansen as the Dodgers’ closer, Kimbrel had not allowed a run in four non-save situations this season before Friday.

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The 34-year-old veteran struggled last season after being traded from the Cubs to the White Sox. He was used in only one ninth-inning save situation following the trade, and posted a 5.09 ERA in 24 appearances.

INJURY UPDATES

Clayton Kershaw threw his first bullpen session since he was placed on injured list with right sacroiliac joint inflammation. Roberts said Kershaw threw all of his pitches during the “35 to 38” pitch session and reported no issues afterward.

“He’ll pitch in a couple ― two, three days,” Roberts said. Following that, “if all goes well he’ll go out on assignment.”

Kershaw’s stay on the injured list has taken longer than expected. He was 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts prior to the injury.

Infielder Max Muncy (elbow) resumed swinging a bat Monday and will continue to train with the team for a few days, Roberts said. Then, Muncy will head to Camelback Ranch to begin training for a return to the lineup. There is no timetable for that process.

“If we’re going to take a reprieve with the arm, the body, the mind, all of it, we’re going to make good on it,” Roberts said. “Whenever he’s ready to come back he’ll be back. I just don’t know when that is. It’ll entail some rehab at-bats in some fashion.”

ALSO

Cody Bellinger was a late lineup scratch because of tightness in his left leg. Hanser Alberto replaced Gavin Lux at second base, with Lux moving to left field and Kevin Pillar to center. … Roberts said Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts are also options to play second base with Muncy on the 10-day IL.

UP NEXT

Pittsburgh (TBD) at Dodgers (LHP Julio Urías, 3-4, 2.49 ERA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570-AM