Ailing stars.(Spotlight)

A number of key players are coming back from injuries, and several others have been hurt in spring training. How healthy these guys are will go a long way in determining the fate of their clubs.

Nomar Garciaparra, SS, Red Sox

Imagine Red Sox fans' angst when Garciaparra came to work with a protective boot on his right foot, a byproduct of tendinitis in his Achilles'. His condition has limited his playing time this spring, but Garciaparra expects to be ready when the Red Sox open the season at Baltimore on Sunday night. Still, the pain likely will be around for a while. It's unclear how his defensive range will be affected or whether he can make the proper pivot in the batter's box with his back foot. The Boston offense surely won't collapse if Garciaparra struggles at the plate, but it wouldn't be the same juggernaut that can outscore the Sox's A.L. East rivals when necessary. And Garciaparra isn't Boston's only injury concern--right fielder Trot Nixon is out a month because of a herniated disk in his lower back, and No. 5 starter Byung-Hyun Kim is gone until at least mid-April because of shoulder tendinitis.

Jermaine Dye, RF, Athletics. Dye has been on a road to recovery since breaking his left leg with a foul tip during the 2001 ALDS. He needs to reach the final destination if Oakland is to maintain a potent offense. After the broken leg finally healed, Dye hurt his knee and shoulder last season, which contributed to his .172 average. He sat on the bench during a key moment in the '03 ALDS against Boston.

Jim Edmonds, CF, Cardinals. The club is bringing along Edmonds slowly after offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder. The biggest question might be whether Edmonds' acrobatic play in the field puts him back on the shelf. It's unlikely he will ...