Weaver Finds a Starting Point

Jeff Weaver appeared relaxed a couple of hours before the Dodgers played the Colorado Rockies on Friday as he sat at his locker discussing his first regular-season week in a Dodger uniform. A few more starts like the one he turned in during his season debut might increase Weaver’s comfort level even more.

The right-hander held the San Diego Padres to one run over seven innings Wednesday during the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory, delivering the first of what the Dodgers hope will be many dividends after an off-season trade that sent ace Kevin Brown to the New York Yankees.

“It’s definitely a good steppingstone to get a little confidence early and get that first one out of the way,” said Weaver, coming off a disappointing season with the Yankees in which he went 7-9 with a 5.99 earned-run average.

Weaver, 51-63 lifetime, has never finished a season with a winning record, though he went 11-11 with a respectable 3.52 ERA in 2002 for Detroit and the Yankees and still holds considerable promise at age 27.

“Obviously, I would like to think that I could be of the same caliber of Kevin Brown and put together the kind of season I know I can,” Weaver said. “I know he was a mainstay here for a while and was always tough, and I hope to be a good replacement for that.”

One factor increasing Weaver’s comfort level is the presence of brother Jered, the ace of the Long Beach State pitching staff. Jered attended Jeff’s game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, and Jeff returned the favor the following day by watching his brother pitch against Cal State Northridge.

“It’s pretty cool for both of us to be so close to each other and support each other,” said Jeff, who lives in Manhattan Beach. “I’ll always have someone to talk to if I do need to talk about what’s going on on or off the baseball field.”

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Continued discomfort in Adrian Beltre’s right shoulder prompted the third baseman to undergo an MRI exam Thursday, which revealed no structural damage. Beltre had been bothered by bursitis in his right biceps tendon toward the latter stages of spring training. The discomfort subsided but resumed over the last couple of days, necessitating the MRI as a precaution. Manager Jim Tracy said the bursitis is not hindering Beltre’s swing and that Beltre, who was in the lineup Friday, would strengthen the area through weight training and rehabilitation.... Edwin Jackson gave up three hits and two runs in five innings in his season debut Thursday for triple-A Las Vegas, walking none and striking out five. Jackson, anointed the Dodgers’ fifth starter before opening day, is beginning the season in the minor leagues because the Dodgers don’t need a fifth starter until April 17.... Outfielder Jayson Werth was unavailable to hit off the bench Friday after straining a muscle during batting practice Wednesday. He received a cortisone injection.