Dodgers go back to practice games; Dan Haren struggles in camp start

Meanwhile, back to spring training …

It’s awkward, it’s strange, but that’s how it is for the Dodgers in 2014. After winning their first two games of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia, they now go back to playing practice games.

They are scheduled to have a morning workout Tuesday and an evening one Wednesday at Dodger Stadium as a prelude to their three-game Freeway Series against the Angels. Then Sunday, it’s back to the real thing in San Diego.

A handful of Dodgers, of course, remained behind in Arizona and continued practicing all along.

Carl Crawford, again a new father, played five innings in a Class-A camp game Monday against the Reds and went two for three and stole a base.

Dan Haren started and did not fare well. He gave up five runs and six hits (no walks) in six innings, with five strikeouts.

In another Class-A game against the Reds, Brandon League went one inning, giving up one hit and striking out one. Ten of his 15 pitches were strikes.

Matt Kemp, recovering from foot and shoulder surgeries, was given the day off.

Zack Greinke, Haren and League are scheduled to join the team in Los Angeles on Tuesday, while Kemp and Crawford will remain back another day to play in a camp game.