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: --RHP Hiroki Kuroda threw about 15 pitches off a mound Tuesday for the first time since being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle on April 10. If Kuroda has no ill effects from that, he probably will do it again in a couple of days, then perhaps go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment consisting of one start. Dodgers manager Joe Torre said there is a chance Kuroda would rejoin the rotation by the end of the month.
--RHP Cory Wade played long-toss at the Dodgers' spring training complex in Glendale, Ariz. He feels fine, should be throwing off a mound soon and has a good chance of returning as soon as he becomes eligible on Monday. Wade is suffering from bursitis in his shoulder.
--RHP Jason Schmidt threw about 70 pitches in an extended spring training game with no ill effects. Although it has yet to be determined whether he is now ready to begin a rehab assignment or will have another outing in extended spring, this clearly was a positive step. Schmidt hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing major shoulder surgery in June 2007, and the Dodgers are paying him $16 million this year, the final season of a three-year, $47 million deal.
--OF Matt Kemp tripled off Russ Ortiz with one out in the fourth inning, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. If he hits safely Wednesday, he would tie teammate James Loney for the third-longest season-opening streak since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958, with Loney having hit in 15 consecutive games to begin last season. Steve Garvey hit in 21 in a row to begin the 1978 season after Ron Cey hit in 17 in a row to start the previous season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
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. He might return as soon as he's eligible.
INF Doug Mientkiewicz (dislocated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 17. He had surgery April 20, and he is unlikely to return before September.
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
