Although the Dodgers are the clear class of the National League West with a lineup that is even more productive than it was predicted to be and a rotation, bullpen and bench that have all come through for the most part, one concern is injuries. The club already has five players on the 15-day disabled list, including three -- RHP Hiroki Kuroda, INF Doug Mientkiewicz and RHP Cory Wade -- who were on the active roster on opening day. Both Kuroda and Wade are expected back by the end of the month, but Mientkiewicz won't be back for several months. What the Dodgers haven't had is nagging injuries that have kept anyone out of the lineup for a couple of days here and there. More important, perhaps, SS Rafael Furcal hasn't had any problems with his surgically repaired lower back, possibly due to the fact he is being rested once a week.
PLAYER NEWS: --CF Matt Kemp's grand slam in the fifth inning of Sunday's game was the second of his career, and the two-homer game also was the second of his career. His previous grand slam came on April 26, 2008, also against Colorado off Mark Redman as part of a 10-run first inning. His other two-homer game was on June 11, 2006 at Colorado.
--INF Mark Loretta isn't playing much and became the last Dodgers position player to start a game Friday night. But he is making the most of what little time he is getting. Used primarily as a pinch hitter, Loretta is hitting .556 (5-for-9).
--INF Juan Castro, who has always been considered a light-hitting defensive specialist, has continued his hot-hitting spring since his contract was purchased from Class AAA Albuquerque. Castro has two hits in four at-bats and also a sacrifice fly for the Dodgers after hitting .383 with eight doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs in spring training. Castro went just 2-for-11 in three games with Albuquerque.
MEDICAL WATCH:
INF Doug Mientkiewicz (dislocated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 17. He will have surgery April 20 and will miss three to five months.
RHP Cory Wade (right shoulder bursitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He could return as soon as he's eligible.
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He will need to make a rehab start before rejoining the Dodgers.
RHP Claudio Vargas (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to April 6.
RHP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 30. He threw in extended spring training on April 8 and April 13, and he will pitch there at least once more before starting a minor league rehab assignment.
ROTATION:
LHP Randy Wolf
RHP Chad Billingsley
LHP Clayton Kershaw
LHP Eric Stults
RHP James McDonald
BULLPEN:
RHP Jonathan Broxton (closer)
LHP Hong-Chih Kuo
RHP Guillermo Mota
LHP Will Ohman
RHP Ronald Belisario
RHP Ramon Troncoso
LHP Scott Elbert
CATCHERS:
Russell Martin
Brad Ausmus
INFIELDERS:
1B James Loney
2B Orlando Hudson
SS Rafael Furcal
3B Casey Blake
INF Juan Castro
INF Mark Loretta
INF Blake DeWitt
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Matt Kemp
RF Andre Ethier
OF Juan Pierre
