Dodgersclub.com | Los Angeles Dodgers News, dodgers Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> Although the Manny Ramirez signing grabbed all the headlines, it was the Orlando Hudson signing that threw the Dodgers' roster situation into uncertainty after it had appeared such a lock that Blake DeWitt would be the guy who replaced Jeff Kent at second base. The move also caused a ripple effect because DeWitt probably is headed to the minors so he can get regular at-bats, possibly opening up a spot for non-roster veteran Doug Mientkiewicz.</div>ROTATION: 1. RHP Hiroki Kuroda 2. LHP Randy Wolf 3. RHP Chad Billingsley 4. LHP Clayton Kershaw 5. RHP James McDonald ROTATION ANALYSIS: This is a shaky area for the Dodgers. All of their front four starters are capable, but none of them has ever shown the ability to dominate over a long period of time as have certain members of the rotations of the Dodgers' top division rivals, San Francisco and Arizona. Kershaw might have the highest up-side of the group, but he struggled at times as a rookie last year, and there are questions as to his readiness. And while McDonald became the organization's top pitching prospect after Kershaw reached the majors, putting him in the fifth spot amounts to a wing and a prayer because he has only six big-league appearances. BULLPEN: RHP Jonathan Broxton (closer) LHP Hong-Chih Kuo RHP Guillermo Mota LHP Will Ohman RHP Ronald Belisario RHP Ramon Troncoso RHP Cory Wade BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The Dodgers managed to win the division last year without an airtight closer -- both Broxton and Takashi Saito were inconsistent -- but this could prove to be an Achilles' heel unless Broxton becomes more reliable. Kuo will step into the role on days when Broxton is unavailable, or perhaps permanently if Broxton falters. Wade made a strong impression as a rookie after coming up from Class AA last year. Belisario has a strong chance of making the club, but he has never pitched above Class AA. Other that that, it's a veteran group. The recently signed Will Ohman is one of the best situational lefties in the game, and Weaver, a career starter, is on board with coming out of the bullpen after spending last season in the minors. LINEUP: 1. SS Rafael Furcal 2. 2B Orlando Hudson 3. LF Manny Ramirez 4. RF Andre Ethier 5. C Russell Martin 6. 1B James Loney 7. CF Matt Kemp 8. 3B Casey Blake LINEUP ANALYSIS: This is a strong group that shouldn't require a lot of tinkering, but fourth outfielder Juan Pierre still should get plenty of starts because he'll be the guy anytime Ramirez, Kemp or Ethier needs a day off. Blake brings a veteran presence to the No. 8 hole, one of the toughest spots for a National League hitter, but it is conceivable that Pierre could hit ninth, behind the pitcher, on the days he starts to give the Dodgers three speedsters hitting immediately ahead of Ramirez. The lineup will create late-inning problems for opposing managers because it includes two switch hitters at the top and two left-handed batters staggered in the fourth and sixth spots. But the Dodgers don't have a great deal of depth, so health is a key. RESERVES: C Brad Ausmus INF Blake DeWitt INF Mark Loretta INF Doug Mientkiewicz OF Juan Pierre RESERVES ANALYSIS: It's a veteran group that should do wonders in the clubhouse, but how much they produce on the field is anyone's guess. Ausmus is a three-time Gold Glove winner and master handler of pitchers, meaning manager Joe Torre finally can give Martin a day off a week and feel comfortable about it. Versatility was a key in selecting this group. Loretta can play all four infield spots, Mientkiewicz can play both corners and right field, and DeWitt, projected before the Hudson signing as the everyday second baseman, can play second and third. Pierre can play both left field and center field. ROOKIE WATCH: RHP James McDonald looks like a strong bet to begin the season as the Dodgers' fifth starter, but he might be simply holding down the fort until RHP Jason Schmidt comes off the disabled list. RHP Josh Lindblom, the Dodgers' second-round pick in last year's draft out of Purdue, has a good shot of being in the majors sometime this year after being promoted to major league camp on March 19. MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Claudio Vargas (right elbow strain) probably will begin the season on the disabled list and is expected to stay there for at least a month. OF Delwyn Young (sore right elbow) probably will begin the season on the disabled list. RHP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. He was set to begin a rehab assignment as soon as the minor league season begins.<div class="spacer10"></div><div class="gray_dots"></div><div id="body_footer_link">Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today </div><div class="gray

Although the Manny Ramirez signing grabbed all the headlines, it was the Orlando Hudson signing that threw the Dodgers' roster situation into uncertainty after it had appeared such a lock that Blake DeWitt would be the guy who replaced Jeff Kent at second base. The move also caused a ripple effect because DeWitt probably is headed to the minors so he can get regular at-bats, possibly opening up a spot for non-roster veteran Doug Mientkiewicz.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Hiroki Kuroda

2. LHP Randy Wolf

3. RHP Chad Billingsley

4. LHP Clayton Kershaw

5. RHP James McDonald

ROTATION ANALYSIS: This is a shaky area for the Dodgers. All of their front four starters are capable, but none of them has ever shown the ability to dominate over a long period of time as have certain members of the rotations of the Dodgers' top division rivals, San Francisco and Arizona.

Kershaw might have the highest up-side of the group, but he struggled at times as a rookie last year, and there are questions as to his readiness. And while McDonald became the organization's top pitching prospect after Kershaw reached the majors, putting him in the fifth spot amounts to a wing and a prayer because he has only six big-league appearances.

BULLPEN:

RHP Jonathan Broxton (closer)

LHP Hong-Chih Kuo

RHP Guillermo Mota

LHP Will Ohman

RHP Ronald Belisario

RHP Ramon Troncoso

RHP Cory Wade

BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The Dodgers managed to win the division last year without an airtight closer -- both Broxton and Takashi Saito were inconsistent -- but this could prove to be an Achilles' heel unless Broxton becomes more reliable. Kuo will step into the role on days when Broxton is unavailable, or perhaps permanently if Broxton falters.

Wade made a strong impression as a rookie after coming up from Class AA last year. Belisario has a strong chance of making the club, but he has never pitched above Class AA. Other that that, it's a veteran group. The recently signed Will Ohman is one of the best situational lefties in the game, and Weaver, a career starter, is on board with coming out of the bullpen after spending last season in the minors.

LINEUP:

1. SS Rafael Furcal

2. 2B Orlando Hudson

3. LF Manny Ramirez

4. RF Andre Ethier

5. C Russell Martin

6. 1B James Loney

7. CF Matt Kemp

8. 3B Casey Blake

LINEUP ANALYSIS: This is a strong group that shouldn't require a lot of tinkering, but fourth outfielder Juan Pierre still should get plenty of starts because he'll be the guy anytime Ramirez, Kemp or Ethier needs a day off. Blake brings a veteran presence to the No. 8 hole, one of the toughest spots for a National League hitter, but it is conceivable that Pierre could hit ninth, behind the pitcher, on the days he starts to give the Dodgers three speedsters hitting immediately ahead of Ramirez.

The lineup will create late-inning problems for opposing managers because it includes two switch hitters at the top and two left-handed batters staggered in the fourth and sixth spots. But the Dodgers don't have a great deal of depth, so health is a key.

RESERVES:

C Brad Ausmus

INF Blake DeWitt

INF Mark Loretta

INF Doug Mientkiewicz

OF Juan Pierre

RESERVES ANALYSIS: It's a veteran group that should do wonders in the clubhouse, but how much they produce on the field is anyone's guess. Ausmus is a three-time Gold Glove winner and master handler of pitchers, meaning manager Joe Torre finally can give Martin a day off a week and feel comfortable about it.

Versatility was a key in selecting this group. Loretta can play all four infield spots, Mientkiewicz can play both corners and right field, and DeWitt, projected before the Hudson signing as the everyday second baseman, can play second and third. Pierre can play both left field and center field.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP James McDonald looks like a strong bet to begin the season as the Dodgers' fifth starter, but he might be simply holding down the fort until RHP Jason Schmidt comes off the disabled list. RHP Josh Lindblom, the Dodgers' second-round pick in last year's draft out of Purdue, has a good shot of being in the majors sometime this year after being promoted to major league camp on March 19.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Claudio Vargas (right elbow strain) probably will begin the season on the disabled list and is expected to stay there for at least a month.

OF Delwyn Young (sore right elbow) probably will begin the season on the disabled list.

RHP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. He was set to begin a rehab assignment as soon as the minor league season begins.

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