Partly sunny for now: some storm clouds around the Dodgers have dissipated and young talent is shining on the horizon, but the team's forecast remains unsettled

Colletti's first set of moves packed the roster with familiar names and bought time for the kids. That strategy has the team--and the city--expecting great things. But considering the already mounting injury reports, L.A.'s optimism could be tested sooner than expected.

Contenders have plenty to gain by avoiding pain

Though Nomar Garciaparra and J.D. Drew give new meaning to the term oft-injured, the Dodgers aren't the only club in the N.L. West worried about its health. In fact, the race for the N.L. Weak might go to the club that does the best job of avoiding the disabled list. Based on early returns, the Dodgers have picked up where they left off last season with three key players landing on the D.L., including closer Eric Gagne for who knows how long.

Dodgers: Garciaparra almost made it to opening day but injured a ribcage muscle on the final day of spring training and was placed on the D.L. At least it wasn't his groin, Achilles', back, wrist, hamstring or shoulder again. Kenny Lofton (calf) celebrated the start of his 18th season with his fourth trip to the D.L. in the past three seasons. There was some good news: Drew got off to a strong start, especially compared with 2005, when he began his first Dodgers season 0-for-25.

Giants: It's going to be a long season for manager Felipe Alou, who, by the third day, was fretting over when to rest Barry Bonds. It might be easier if Alou didn't have to juggle Bonds' availability with that of his son Moises, who will 40 in July, and Steve Finley, 41. Then there's closer Armando Benitez, who started the year by extending his D.L. streak to three seasons. He missed much of last year with a torn right hamstring. This time, it's his left knee.

Padres: Center fielder Mike Cameron ended a strong spring on a bad note, straining his left oblique and going on the D.L. More worrisome is the left shoulder of first baseman Ryan Klesko, who also started the season on the D.L.--Stan McNeal

L.A.'s.future is right around the corner

The Dodgers organization produced five consecutive National League Rookies of the Year in the 1990s--Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and Todd Hollandsworth--then hit a dry spell in player development. This season's opening day lineup had just one home-grown product, center fielder Jason Repko, who filled in for injured import Kenny Lofton. Repko is far from being an elite prospect.

The pipeline probably will reopen soon, thanks largely to scouting director Logan White. While many clubs have drifted toward a Moneyball philosophy of drafting college players and crunching numbers, the Dodgers are focusing on drafting high schoolers and players with tools.

Hitters

1B James Loney. Loney was recalled from Class AAA Las Vegas when Nomar Garciaparra was placed on the disabled list. Loney's stock dipped in 2004, then recovered in '05 as he spent a second season at Class AA. Expect Loney, 21, to struggle in L.A. this year; he is likely to be major league-ready by 2007.