Everything to know as the Dodgers begin Spring…
The Dodgers open spring training this week, with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report on Thursday, February 12.
Here’s an inside look at where the staff stands as camp begins:
Shohei Ohtani pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. Getty Images
Best place battle
If the Dodgers get through spring with a totally healthy roster, most positions ought to take care of themselves. However, Tommy Edman is unsure for opening day as he recovers from offseason ankle surgical procedure. So too is Blake Snell, after slow-playing his winter throwing program while treating a lingering shoulder injury.
If Edman begins the yr on the IL, it can create at least a non permanent opening at second base. Miguel Rojas would determine to get a lot of the at-bats, but there may also be a runway for either Hyeseong Kim or Alex Freeland to carve out an opening day position.
In the rotation, a potential Snell absence may open a spot for one of the Dodgers’ youthful arms, such as River Ryan or Gavin Stone, among others, to earn an opening-day spot.
Most intriguing minor leaguer
There has been growing pleasure around the group in Ryan, who debuted as a top prospect in 2024 and posted a 1.33 ERA in 4 begins before going down with Tommy John surgical procedure. Since then, the right-hander has bulked up by roughly 30 kilos, added life to his upper-90s mph fastball, and impressed membership officers in his throwing program this winter.
Whether or not he begins the season in the majors, he’ll nearly actually have a position to play at some level. And if his temporary debut a couple years in the past was any indication, he might be primed for a breakout marketing campaign.
Tommy Edman runs the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees. Getty Images
Story to watch develop
The Dodgers have been open about their need to handle the beginning rotation’s workload this yr, coming off the heavy burden they shoulder in the 2025 playoffs. It’s why the staff is already preaching endurance with Snell. And will probably be a subplot to comply with as other veteran arms ramp up for the yr.
Outside of Snell, the Dodgers’ other starters have reported feeling OK so far with the fast turnaround from last season. But as depth heightens in the spring, so too will the risk of lingering after-effects being felt. By the time they get to opening day, the Dodgers ought to have a better thought of how their pitching workers rebounded from last October.
Manager’s hardest problem
The Dodgers can have one of the oldest lineups in the majors this yr. And supervisor Dave Roberts has already acknowledged the need to discover his veterans more common relaxation.
It received’t be straightforward. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, for instance, have been loath to off days in current years. Thus, Roberts can have to discover the proper steadiness between maintaining his older bats contemporary, and maintaining them completely satisfied and in-rhythm as they continue to age. It can be an ongoing problem for the Tenth-year skipper.
Blake Snell pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays. Getty Images
Most intriguing newcomer
It’s been 5 years since Kenley Jansen left the Dodgers. Since then, they’ve struggled to discover a outlined, constant nearer, having not had one reliever with a 25-save season.
That ought to change now, with the arrival of Edwin Díaz and his 253 profession saves. The Dodgers invested $69 million in him to anchor the reduction corps. And as long as he clicks, a weak Dodgers bullpen from last season needs to be a strength in their three-peat bid.
Most notable absence
For twenty years, Clayton Kershaw has been the face of the Dodgers franchise. For the first time since 2006, he received’t be at camp for spring training.
The Dodgers, of course, have a lot of choices to exchange the retired left-hander in the rotation. But his clubhouse presence will go away a void, creating a Hall of Fame-sized gap that can be felt this spring.
Miguel Rojas celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays. Getty Images
Don’t be shocked if it turns into an issue
Injuries, and not just to the rotation. Freeman can be 36 this yr, Max Muncy 35, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez both 33, and Will Smith, Shohei Ohtani and Edman all 31. While the Dodgers have battled accidents in current years, they’ve largely had their complete lineup healthy come the playoffs. Accomplishing that again will only get more durable as time goes on.
Pitching absences are already anticipated. The Dodgers have to hope place participant losses don’t develop into a downside either.
Biggest comeback
Ohtani accomplished his two-way comeback last yr. But now, he’ll enter a season without any health restrictions for the first time since 2023, when he had arguably his most full profession yr.
Ohtani will begin this marketing campaign as the frontrunner for his fifth MVP. He may very properly wind up in the Cy Young dialog, too. The Dodgers have already seen historic feats from their $700 million star. Now, they’ll get their first look at a full season of Ohtani taking part in both methods full-time.
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