It was about as encouraging as nervous Dodgers fans and upper brass could have envisioned.Clayton Kershaw took the Dodger Stadium mound Sunday morning and faced hitters for the first time since March 22 in a simulated game.And A.J. Ellis served as the surprise catcher.Kershaw and Ellis each took positive steps in their recoveries from injuries with a three-inning simulated game, which Kershaw described as "full effort.