N.L. West

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

RF Shawn Green will not play in as many games as he did in 2005, when h played in 158, because manager Bob Melvin thought Green was a little sluggish at times. Look for Green to sit mainly when the team faces lefthanders, who held him to a .226 average in 2005. OF Jeff DaVanon, a switch hitter, likely will start in Green's place.... Backup C Chris Snyder has shortened his stroke and is working on keeping his hands inside the ball, which allows him to wait longer before he starts his swing. SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Orlando Hernandez is a master at changing speeds and making his fastball look faster than it is. Hernandez slows hitters' hands by showing them a mid-60s curveball, then busts them inside with an 85-mph fastball. He creates even more deception by throwing his pitches from four different arm angles.--Steve Gilbert

COLORADO ROCKIES

1B Todd Helton was walked five times in the opening series, so it's clear LF Matt Holliday will be challenged often. Manager Clint Hurdle twice sacrificed with leadoff man CF Cory Sullivan, and both times Arizona manager Bob Melvin intentionally walked Helton, the No. 3 hitter, with two outs. Holliday failed to drive home a run each time. Holliday is trying to force himself to slow down and hit to the opposite field, which allows him to see the ball longer.... RHP Aaron Cook has worked on his curve and four-seam fastball, and he can sneak both in for strikes ahead of his sinker. SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Brian Fuentes is displaying confidence in his slider and changeup, which he mixes with a low-90s fastball. Fuentes has a short, somewhat sidearm action and is striving to make his delivery the same on all his pitches. The results speak highly for the delivery's effectiveness.--Thomas Harding

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

RHP Brad Penny looked sharp in his season debut, striking out eight in five innings and outpitching Braves RHP John Smoltz. Penny again is throwing a split-finger fastball, a pitch he had stopped using after he hurt his arm in 2004.... 1B James Loney was recalled from Class AA after the injury to Nomar Garciaparra (rib cage). Loney is a smooth defender and has a line-drive swing. The knock on him: He lacks pop at a power position. SCOUTING RETORT: After a rookie season that included prolonged slumps and a demotion to the minors, Jason Repko is off to a hot start as the injury fill-in for CF Kenny Lofton. Repko opened his stance late last season, which has allowed him to see the ball better. The rest of Repko's game is solid. He is a fearless defender who can cover the gaps and has a very strong arm. Repko also is a capable baserunner.--Ken Gurnick

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Ryan Klesko (shoulder surgery) is expected to be out two to four months, which makes Adrian Gonzalez the everyday first baseman. Gonzalez batted .375 (6-for-16) with a home run in his first four games, thanks in part to a subtle adjustment in his approach. He has become more patient and is staying back and letting the ball come to him rather than jumping out to get it.... LHP Shawn Estes' elbow injury puts RHPs Woody Williams and Chan Ho Perk back in the rotation. Williams will fill in for Estes, and Park will be the fifth starter when the team needs one. Estes is expected to miss four to six weeks. SCOUTING REPORT: C Rob Bowen, who was claimed off waivers from the Tigers on April 3, is regarded as a sound receiver with pop from both sides of the plate. He gives the club flexibility; Mike Piazza will be available to pinch hit when he isn't starting, and backup Doug Mirabelli can be used at first base at times.--Lyle Spencer

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Expect 1B Lance Niekro, who has sharpened his batting eye and is showing more patience, to increase his walks and reduce his strikeouts this season. He isn't swinging at as many bad pitches, and his power has been boosted by a more upright batting stance.... 2B Ray Durham wants to steal more bases in 2006, but his opportunities will be limited when he hits third, in front of LF Barry Bonds. Leg injuries remain a concern for Durham, who had two bouts 1B/OF with plantar fasciitis during spring training. SCOUTING REPORT: Mark Sweeney is coming off a strong 2005 season with the Padres, when he hit .294 and drove in 40 runs in 221 at-bats. He will play a similar role with the Giants as Niekro's backup. Sweeney isn't a great defensive player, but he is an excellent pinch hitter who adds experience to the bench. Sweeney strikes out a lot-SB times in '05-but his ability to draw walks makes up for it.--Rich Draper

COPYRIGHT 2006 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning