The Dodgers not only got off to a 13-6 start, but they also won 12 of their first 16 against National League West opponents during a season-opening stretch in which they will play 28 of their first 33 games within the division. The Dodgers already have won five of six from Colorado, swept a three-game series from San Francisco, and took two of three from Arizona. Their only hiccup thus far has been a season-opening, four-game split at San Diego in which the final game got away in the eighth inning, a big reason why the Padres continue to hover just behind the Dodgers at the top of the division standings. With the notoriously weak division appearing to be no stronger than it has been in recent seasons, the Dodgers are the clear favorites to win it. But they aren't scheduled to play a contending team outside the division until visiting Philadelphia on May 12.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Jason Schmidt did not begin a rehabilitation assignment with high Class A Inland Empire after all. Instead, he made yet another start in extended spring training, which was ended prematurely (after 89 pitches) when Schmidt was hit in the left leg by a line drive, but his removal was precautionary, and he wasn't believed to be injured. Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said the decision was made to keep Schmidt in extended spring until he could have at least a couple of games in which he threw about 90 pitches.
--RHP Cory Wade began a rehabilitation assignment with high Class A Inland Empire. He started Tuesday's game against High Desert and pitched one scoreless, hitless inning, although he did walk two batters. Wade, who was sidelined with right shoulder bursitis, is expected to be activated in time for the Dodgers' homestand opener Thursday night. Once he gets back up to speed, he is likely to take over the eight-inning setup role, manager Joe Torre said.
--RF Andre Ethier had the definitive at-bat of Tuesday's game in the ninth inning, working Bob Howry for 10 pitches, including a wild pitch that allowed Manny Ramirez to take third, before driving a game-winning double off the wall in left-center. Ethier went 2-for-3 on the night, scoring three runs, and he also was walked intentionally for the fifth time this season after not being intentionally walked a single time last year. He has now hit safely in 15 of his past 16 games, batting .333 (20-for-60) with 10 walks.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Cory Wade (right shoulder bursitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He made a rehab appearance for Class A Inland Empire on April 28, and he is expected to be activated April 30.
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He received a cortisone shot and 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 was still pitching in extended spring training as of late April.
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
