Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers on Twitter (@Dodgers)
On Thursday, prior to the team’s season opener versus the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers announced the names of the 30 players who earned a spot on L.A.’s Opening Day roster. This season’s roster situation is slightly different than in years past, as the active roster of each team begins at 30 and will gradually decrease to the league-standard 26 players in four weeks.
Pitchers
Below is the list of pitchers named to the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, along with some of their numbers from last season:
- Scott Alexander (17.1 IP, -0.2 fWAR)
- Pedro Báez (69.2 IP, 1.3 fWAR)
- Walker Buehler (182.1 IP, 5.0 fWAR)
- Caleb Ferguson (44.2 IP, -0.2 fWAR)
- Dylan Floro (46.2 IP, 0.2 fWAR)
- Brusdar Graterol (9.2 IP, 0.1 fWAR)
- Kenley Jansen (63.0 IP, 1.2 fWAR)
- Joe Kelly (51.1 IP, 0.4 fWAR)
- Clayton Kershaw (178.1 IP, 3.4 fWAR)
- Adam Kolarek (55.0 IP, 0.2 fWAR)
- Jake McGee (41.1 IP, -0.3 fWAR)
- Dennis Santana (5.0 IP, -0.1 fWAR)
- Ross Stripling (90.2 IP, 1.8 fWAR)
- Blake Treinen (58.2 IP, -0.3 fWAR)
- Julio Urías (79.2 IP, 1.4 fWAR)
- Alex Wood (35.2 IP, -0.2 fWAR)
Batters
Below is the list of batters named to the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, along with some of their numbers from last season:
- Austin Barnes (242 PA, 0.7 fWAR)
- Matt Beaty (268 PA, 0.6 fWAR)
- Cody Bellinger (660 PA, 7.8 fWAR)
- Mookie Betts (706 PA, 6.6 fWAR)
- Terrance Gore (58 PA, 0.6 fWAR)
- Kiké Hernández (460 PA, 1.2 fWAR)
- Max Muncy (589 PA, 4.8 fWAR)
- Joc Pederson (514 PA, 3.0 fWAR)
- A.J. Pollock (342 PA, 0.9 fWAR)
- Edwin Rios (56 PA, 0.4 fWAR)
- Corey Seager (541 PA, 3.3 fWAR)
- Will Smith (196 PA, 1.7 fWAR)
- Chris Taylor (414 PA, 1.7 fWAR)
- Justin Turner (549 PA, 3.4 fWAR)
Notable Absences
Last Saturday, the Dodgers designated Tony Gonsolin for assignment to the team’s alternate training camp at the University of Southern California. Gonsolin entered Spring Training and Summer Camp as one of the team’s best long relief options. Last season, Gonsolin worked his way through 40 innings at the big league level, posting an ERA of 2.92 over that span.
Earlier this week, the Dodgers optioned their top prospect, Gavin Lux. The move came after Lux’s late arrival to Summer Camp. Many baseball analysts had Lux penciled in as the leading candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award. Without Lux in the hunt for the award, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson, Washington Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom, and San Diego Padres pitcher MacKenzie Gore better their chances at taking home the trophy. Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández will likely share the Dodgers’ now-vacant second baseman spot.
A few hours prior to the official release of the team’s active roster, the Dodgers transaction log, found on Major League Baseball’s website, showed the option of the team’s top pitching prospect, Dustin May. May’s option came as a corresponding move to the activation of outfielder Terrance Gore. According to MLB Pipeline, May is the Dodgers’ best pitching prospect.
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel and follow @DodgersLowDown for more.