Dodgers preview opening day lineup, mull last roster spot

The staff’s batting order boasted a mixed six MVP awards, 33 All-Star appearances, 19 Silver Sluggers and eight Gold Gloves –– with Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith rejoining Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and the membership’s different celebrity hitters after their WBC absences.

The beginning pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Collection MVP, a 2025 Cy Younger award finalist, and the staff’s 2026 opening day starter –– making his first Cactus League look since rejoining camp earlier this week.

“We’ll see,” supervisor Dave Roberts joked when requested if he’d fill out the lineup card the identical approach for subsequent Thursday’s season-opener towards the Arizona Diamondbacks. “It’s some good gamers.”

The one actual change Roberts would possibly ponder for opening day is who performs at second base. On Friday, it was Miguel Rojas. However the staff might go for a left-handed hitter in that spot towards projected Arizona starter Zac Gallen.

For now, the Dodgers haven’t determined which left-handed-hitting second baseman will make the staff in that spot as they put together to interrupt camp Saturday. Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland stay the ultimate two candidates. Roberts mentioned a choice would come by this weekend.

“It’s a kind of issues that you can argue each side of both resolution, so far as Alex or Hyeseong,” Roberts mentioned. “I simply don’t suppose it’s clear-cut.” 

Obtain The California Publish App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

Roberts famous that the staff hasn’t seen Kim a lot this spring, after he was additionally away on the WBC. Freeland, nevertheless, didn’t make the most of Kim’s absence, hitting simply .108 within the Cactus League regardless of taking “nice at-bats,” in Roberts’ opinion.

“There’s simply deeper conversations which might be going available,” Roberts continued.

Not that the ultimate alternative, after all, will change a lot concerning the total starpower of the staff.

Yama-mojo: In his last spring tune-up, Yamamoto already seemed like he was in midseason kind. In 5 scoreless innings towards the Padres on Friday, the Dodgers’ opening day starter struck out seven batters, walked only one and scattered three singles. A number of occasions, he gave the impression to be nodding to himself in approval, as he acquired 14 whiffs along with his six-pitch combine.

“He got here out with a function,” Roberts mentioned. “All the pieces was good and really environment friendly. Fairly effortlessly acquired by means of 5.”

Will returns: Will Smith marked his return to Dodgers camp with an extra-base hit, main off the fourth inning with a double. It was an excellent signal for the catcher, who went solely 3-for-13 within the WBC with one double and one RBI –– however nonetheless raved concerning the expertise after his second profession look within the event. 

“These video games have been lots of enjoyable,” Smith mentioned. “You’re enjoying on your nation. There’s lots of ardour going into it. There’s lots of pleasure. The crowds are superior. So positively grateful for these experiences.”

Smith’s solely want: That Group USA would’ve received, having fallen quick within the last for the second-consecutive event.

“It nonetheless stings proper now,” Smith mentioned. “However fortunately we get our rings in a pair days from the World Collection final 12 months, so I feel that’ll change my thoughts.” 

Decide to click on: Lately, Dave Roberts has named an annual “choose to click on” earlier than the season. Typically it has labored (Teoscar Hernández in 2024). Different occasions, not a lot (Michael Conforto a season in the past). This 12 months, he opted for Andy Pages, predicting the third-year outfielder to take one other step coming off his 27-homer marketing campaign a 12 months in the past, and as soon as once more praising his mature strategy to this spring’s camp.

“He was a younger participant a number of years in the past that didn’t like the burden room, actually didn’t work with intent,” Roberts mentioned. “However now offensively, defensively, he’s very constant and on par with our celebrity gamers. And on prime of that, he’s realized to be a greater hitter, a major-league hitter, and never only a slugger.”

Up subsequent: The Dodgers wrap up their time in Arizona on Saturday with an 11 a.m. sport towards the Athletics. Emmet Sheehan will begin, however few different big-league regulars are anticipated to play.