Here are some of the key questions the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers hope to answer during spring training.
Who’s on second?
With Tommy Edman’s recovery from offseason ankle surgery likely to continue into the early weeks of the regular season, second base is the only position in the everyday lineup that is undecided. Edman’s absence will open up playing time for someone. Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas is the easy answer. But if young players Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim show well enough in spring training they could fight their way into the Dodgers’ lineup to start the season. Kim will have to build his case despite being away from the team to participate in the World Baseball Classic.
Who backs up Will Smith?
Dalton Rushing seemed to have this role locked down. But the Dodgers claimed Ben Rortvedt on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds last week, bringing him back after losing him to the Reds in a waiver claim in November. Rortvedt is set to make $1.25 million this season and he is out of options, meaning he can’t be sent down to the minors without first clearing waivers (something he failed to do twice this offseason). Carrying three catchers would shorten the Dodgers’ other bench options and seems unlikely, leaving a choice between Rushing and Rortvedt as the backup to All-Star Will Smith.
High-class problems
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts likes to call the pleasant dilemmas that come with a deep and talented roster “high-class problems.” That means making decisions like how to set the batting order with Kyle Tucker added to an already-loaded lineup. Roberts has said Tucker will hit in the top third of the lineup, meaning Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman might move from the second and third spots they occupied for most of the past two seasons.
Another “high-class problem” figures to develop as the spring progresses. After being plagued by a shoulder problem all season last year and making just 11 regular-season starts in his first year with the Dodgers, Blake Snell said he is taking it slowly this spring. He might not be ready to start the season in the Dodgers’ starting rotation. After a taxing postseason run, other starters could be late in getting to full strength this spring. That might lead to openings in the season-opening rotation. The Dodgers are likely to go with a six-man rotation. They have plenty of options to choose from in filling any rotation spots with Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, Gavin Stone, River Ryan and Kyle Hurt possibly vying for one or more of the five (or, likely, six) spots.
How will they fill out the bullpen?
With the signing of Edwin Diaz, the Dodgers have a dedicated closer for the first time since franchise saves leader Kenley Jansen left following the 2021 season. That leaves a group of relievers jockeying for other bullpen roles. Three seem like locks (if healthy) – Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen. Brusdar Graterol could be another if he is ready to return from his November 2024 shoulder surgery. Jack Dreyer was third on the team in relief appearances as a rookie last year (behind Vesia and Anthony Banda) and should be part of the bullpen mix again. Brock Stewart is expected back from his shoulder surgery at some point in mid-season. That leaves World Series hero Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez and Ben Casparius as well as Justin Wrobleski, non-roster invitee Ryder Ryan (River’s older brother) and any spillover from the starting rotation competing for two or three spots.
How will the WBC impact the Dodgers?
Five players from the 40-man roster will leave camp in March to compete for their home countries in the World Baseball Classic – Smith (Team USA), Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Japan), Diaz (Puerto Rico) and Kim (South Korea). Hopefully, all five will rejoin the Dodgers healthy but injuries suffered in the WBC have impacted the MLB season in the past. Diaz suffered a major knee injury while celebrating a win during the 2023 tournament and missed the entire MLB season with the New York Mets. Houston Astros infielder Jose Altuve suffered a fractured thumb during the same tournament. Back in 2013, Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb while playing for the Dominican Republic.
