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 Cory Wade will pitch a simulated game at the Dodgers' spring training complex Thursday. If that goes well, he probably will begin a rehabilitation assignment with high Class A Inland Empire this weekend. He is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, and club officials are hopeful he can do so.
--CF Matt Kemp went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, ending his season-opening hitting streak at 14 games. Kemp fell one short of teammate James Loney's 15-game streak to open last season, which ranks third on the all-time Los Angeles Dodgers list of season-opening hitting streaks behind Steve Garvey (21 in 1978) and Ron Cey (17 in 1977).
--LF Manny Ramirez has homered in consecutive games. He hit his 531st Wednesday night, a drive that went completely out of Minute Maid Park to left field. Ramirez is now three home runs away from tying Jimmie Foxx for 16th place on the all-time list.
--RF Andre Ethier, who was named the National League's Player of the Week on Monday, continues to sizzle. He went 3-for-4 with a single, double and home run Wednesday night after going 0-for-2 with three walks in the series opener Tuesday. Since the start of last week, Ethier is hitting .414 (12-for-29) with three doubles, five home runs, 13 RBIs and 10 runs in eight games.
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
