RSS Dodgers Team Notes

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers spring training preview: Bullpen

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: Brusdar Graterol of the Los Angeles Dodgers waves to fans at Dodger Stadium on January 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Our latest roster preview heading into spring training looks at the Dodgers bullpen, which like the outfield was bolstered by signing the best free agent available.

40-man roster relievers​

• Edwin Díaz
• Tanner Scott LHP
• Blake Treinen
• Alex Vesia LHP
• Brusdar Graterol
• Brock Stewart
• Jack Dreyer LHP
• Will Klein
• Edgardo Henriquez
• Kyle Hurt
• Bobby Miller
• Paul Gervase
• Ronan Kopp LHP

Things to watch​

Swimming in the deep end: For the second offseason in a row, the Dodgers spent big on a reliever, signing Edwin Díaz for three years and $69 million, breaking his own record for highest average annual value for a reliever. Much like signing Kyle Tucker to improve the outfield, the Dodgers saw a weakness and plugged the hole with the best-possible (and most expensive) option on this year’s free agent market. Díaz’s ERA started with a one in four of his last seven seasons, and his xERA has been above 2.66 only once in his nine-season career. Díaz over the last two seasons is second among MLB relievers in both strikeout rate (38.4 percent) and strikeout-minus-walk rate (29.7 percent). That’ll play.

Turnaround Tanner? Last year was a nightmare for Tanner Scott, who led the majors with 10 blown saves and allowed nearly double the home runs (11) than he gave up during the previous two seasons combined (6). Leaving the ball in the middle of the plate doomed him, but he expressed confidence at Dodgers Fest last weekend that he’ll be able to improve this season. Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest looked at some ways to make it happen.

Bazooka loading: Since joining the Dodgers in 2020, Brusdar Graterol has been one of the team’s best relievers, with a 2.69 ERA and 3.06 xERA, thanks to a 61.9-percent groundball rate that ranks eighth in MLB in that time among pitchers with at least 150 innings. The problem is Graterol has only pitched 204 innings over the last six seasons, including the postseason. He only pitched 9 2/3 innings in 2024, and didn’t pitch at all in 2025 after shoulder surgery. Graterol is back and healthy now, so expect him to pitch important innings if he’s showing anything near his career norms.

Functional depth: With the out-of-options Brock Stewart likely to miss at least most of the first half after shoulder surgery in October, the Dodgers have five healthy relievers who can’t be sent to the minors on the 40-man roster. There were six such relievers before left-hander Anthony Banda was designated for assignment on Friday after two solid seasons in Los Angeles.

That still leaves three bullpen spots for the inevitable revolving door to fill innings as needed, a must in this current era of pitcher churning. The Dodgers used 39 pitchers in 2023, then set franchise records with 40 pitchers in each of the last two seasons. Expect something near that again this year. But to have seven pitchers listed above all with minor league options, plus starting pitching depth Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski, and Landon Knack (before even considering River Ryan and Gavin Stone, each coming off surgery) in the same boat, the cupboard is well-stocked.

Strikeouts by the bushel: Díaz and his eye-popping numbers are the main addition this year, after the Dodgers bullpen went from 19th in MLB in strikeout rate (23.3 percent) and 16th in strikeout-minus-walk rate (14.6 percent) in 2024 to seventh (24.3 percent) and eighth (14.8 percent), respectively, in 2025. But a few other arms to watch are Paul Gervase, the 6’10 right-hander acquired at the trade deadline from the Rays, and 6’7 left-hander Ronan Kopp, who was added to the 40-man roster in November. Over the last two minor league seasons, Gervase had the eighth-best strikeout rate (35.9 percent) among pitchers with at least 100 innings, while Kopp was 18th at 33.5 percent. There’s still some honing to do to translate to major league success, but the stuff for both is definitely there.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-news-notes/109563/dodgers-spring-training-bullpen

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers spring training preview: Starting rotation

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Shohei Ohtani #17, Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18, Blake Snell #7, and Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose with the Commissioner's Trophy in the locker room after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in game seven to win the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Dodgers pitchers and catchers have their first official workout at Camelback Ranch on Friday, so let’s look at the starting rotation for Los Angeles, the team’s greatest strength.

40-man roster starting pitchers​

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto
• Blake Snell
• Tyler Glasnow
• Shohei Ohtani
• Emmet Sheehan
• Roki Sasaki
• Gavin Stone
• River Ryan
• Ben Casparius
• Justin Wrobleski
• Landon Knack

Things to watch​

Ohtani unleashed: For the better part of the last two seasons, Shohei Ohtani wasn’t a two-way player while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound in June, with a methodical ramp up and didn’t pitch five innings in a start until August 27. Beginning with that start, Ohtani had a 2.48 ERA in eight starts, including the postseason, with 55 strikeouts and 11 walks in 40 innings. After totaling 67 1/3 innings on the year, Ohtani will be back to full two-way status from the start of the season in 2026, the same as he was from 2021-23 with the Angels, when he averaged 25 starts and 143 innings. Expect the Dodgers to be somewhat judicious when it comes to planning out his pitching starts, including some maneuvering when possible to pitch on the day before a scheduled off day to minimize situations with next-day fatigue while batting.

“The fun part about Sho is, as long as he knows when he’s pitching, he’ll pitch whenever, if it’s six days rest, if it’s eight days rest, if it’s three days rest, he’s willing to do what it takes to help this club win ballgames,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said on the Dodgers Territory podcast last week. “We’ll just kind of plan it out and kind of go day by day like we always do, when were in these unorthodox situations where you can’t just map out the next four weeks.”

What to expect from Sasaki: Roki Sasaki last year was the most sought-after international free agent since Ohtani, but his first year fizzled with the Dodgers, thanks to an ineffective fastball and poor command. After some tweaks while sidelined on the injured list, Sasaki found some success in the bullpen down the stretch and into October. Still just 24 years old, Sasaki still has plenty of promise. But it will be interesting to see if he can find success while starting, and whether the Dodgers resist the urge to move him to the bullpen if things go awry.

Looking to October: The Dodgers managed to have their four best starting pitchers all healthy and thriving by last September, and rode them to a championship in October. The Dodgers didn’t necessarily plan it this way — there’s no real way to do such a thing — but they were extra cautious with some injured list stints. Blake Snell was down for four and a half months with shoulder inflammation. Tyler Glasnow missed just over 10 weeks with shoulder inflammation. Sasaki was on the shelf for five months. The team is willing to sacrifice some time during the regular season in service of potentially strengthening the cause in the postseason, and they have the depth to fill in the gaps. Remember, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May were second and third in innings last regular season for the Dodgers. There will be plenty of starts to go around outside of the current top six in the rotation in 2026.

The Sheehan template: Emmet Sheehan is one of those top six starters on the depth chart, and his excellent 2025 season provides hope for a few other arms this year who are in the same boat Sheehan was last year. Coming off a hybrid Tommy John and internal brace surgery in May 2024, Sheehan had a 2.82 ERA and 3.00 xERA in his 15 games, with 89 strikeouts (a 30.6-percent strikeout rate) and 22 walks in 73 1/3 innings. That’s the best-case scenario for River Ryan and Gavin Stone, who each saw their 2024 seasons end with surgery (Tommy John for Ryan, shoulder for Stone) and did not pitch in 2025. Stone led the Dodgers in starts and innings in 2024 before the surgery, and Ryan impressed in his four starts that year but has yet to get an extended major league chance. This year could be the time.

Hybrids: Ben Casparius and Justin Wrobleski were both drafted by the Dodgers in 2021, and both have seen extended time in the majors the last season and a half. Most of the work for Casparius has been out of the bullpen, while Wrobleski has started or pitched extended relief a little more often but also worked as a short reliever when needed. Both could be in the mix for roster spots even if in the bullpen this year, but you figure both will be stretched out during spring training to at least have them available to start early on in the season if a need arises.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...565/dodgers-spring-training-starting-rotation

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Underdog role nearly suited Clayton Kershaw & Dodgers in 2016

Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) reacts after Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (not pictured) committed an error during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs in game two of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-Imagn Images

The Dodgers have grown in strength gradually since the early days of Dave Roberts in charge — before becoming this current powerhouse, essentially the favorite against whichever National League opponent came their way in the postseason — the Dodgers played the role of spoilers against the team of destiny, and for a little bit, in great part due to Clayton Kershaw’s magnificent work, they looked set to fulfill that task.

Back in 2016, the Chicago Cubs were a moderate version of what the Dodgers should be: this absolute juggernaut filled with talent and a well-oiled machine ready to compete not only in that but across multiple seasons. This in itself created quite the challenge, but further increasing scrutiny and public interest in this team, the Cubs carried the best odds this organization had to break a curse that dated back to 1908, a type of storyline that transcended baseball itself.

After a heroic effort against the Washington Nationals, one that saw Kershaw pitch in three of the five games of the series, including earning a save on one day of rest to close out Game 5, finally getting his revenge on Daniel Murphy, the Dodgers found themselves as the only things standing in the way of a World Series ticket to the Cubs.

Because of his NLDS efforts, Kershaw wasn’t available to go in Game 1 of the NLCS, and unlike in previous campaigns, that 2016 team didn’t have a 1B in Zack Greinke to take the hill. A valiant effort by Kenta Maeda and the bullpen was for naught as Joe Blanton allowed a tie-breaking grand slam to Miguel Montero, and with their backs against the wall, the Dodgers relied on their ace in Game 2 at Wrigley Field.

Facing a lineup that had led baseball with a team 115 wRC+ against southpaws, a mark even more impressive accounting for the fact it came before pitchers stopped hitting, Kershaw had his work cut out for him, facing the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, and company. Further increasing the need for a strong outing from Kershaw, the Dodgers had just overworked two of their more trusted relievers in Pedro Báez and Blanton.

Pitching his first NLCS matchup since that forgetful evening in St. Louis back in 2013, Kershaw looked every bit his most dominant self. Commonly, we hear about the freedom of pitching with a lead, particularly a large one, as it allows a pitcher to more freely attack the zone and take the game to the opposing hitters. This was anything but that.

While Kershaw did pitch the majority of the game with the advantage, he did so in the most stressful of circumstances, as an Adrian González solo shot in the second was the only scoring this game saw. Facing the best team in the big leagues, on the road, Kershaw shut it all down in an incredibly efficient manner, needing just 84 pitches to complete seven scoreless frames before turning it over to Kenley Jansen for a two-inning save.

One of the purposes of this series is to highlight how things could’ve easily been different for Kershaw with a few breaks here and there; on the flip side, even in the most dominant of performances, one can point to a couple of potential turning point moments. After not allowing a baserunner through the first four innings, Kershaw ran into some problems in the fifth, but the right man at the right time helped him get out of it.

With two on and two out after back-to-back singles from Javier Báez and Willson Contreras, manager Joe Maddon had the wrong man up to do the damage against Kershaw. The Cubs’ biggest offseason signing ahead of that season, Jason Heyward, had been absolutely atrocious with the bat in 2016, and even worse against the lefties—although he tried his best to make up for it with elite defensive work. Thanks to his outstanding defensive talents, the fifth inning was early enough even in a one-run game for Maddon not to pinch-hit a Jorge Soler or some other right-handed batter for Heyward, and Kershaw retired him without any problem, dropping his arm angle on a fastball, something the left-hander really got into doing once in a while during that period.

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A couple of innings later, the big threat came around as the first two reached, and a run of three right-handed hitters was due up, following an error that gave Chicago first and second. Kershaw struck out Ben Zobrist and retired Addison Russell. The only thing standing in the way of six scoreless innings was Javier Báez.

With a 1-0 count, Kershaw threw Báez a fastball up in the zone, one that he was ready for, connecting pretty well straight to center, but it had just enough air on it for it to be caught by Joc Pederson in center.

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That was the last pitch Kershaw threw, one that, in different circumstances completely beyond the control of the pitcher or batter, might’ve had another outcome.

This series, ultimately, isn’t one looked back on fondly by Dodger fans, as the team collapsed after taking a 2-1 lead, including a completely different Kershaw outing in Wrigley in Game 6. Still, that one particular game is one of my favorites for all that it represented: a time the Dodgers succeeded, even if briefly, without the weight of expectations currently associated with this team.

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You did not see this every day.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-rewind/109396/clayton-kershaw-dodgers-2016-nlds

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers notes: Joe Thon, Michael Vilchez, World Baseball Classic

New logos adorn hats during the home opener Minor League baseball game between the Oklahoma City Comets and the El Paso Chihuahuas at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Joe Thon is in his second year coaching in the Dodgers’ system, serving this year as the bench coach for Triple-A Oklahoma City after holding the same job for High-A Great Lakes in 2025.

During part of last season, Thon was undergoing kidney dialysis, and needed a kidney transplant in December. The donor was his father, Dickie Thon, a major league shortstop for 15 years. From Brian McTaggart at MLB.com:

Joe, 34, was a bit hesitant at first to take his father’s kidney, and for good reason. Dickie is 67 years old and healthy, but the idea of taking a kidney from his father made Joe uncomfortable. It took urging from his dad and doctors to convince him it was the right course of action.

“I didn’t want to put him in a tough spot, either,” Joe said. “But the doctors assured me that everything was good. It wouldn’t really take too much of a toll physically, but you hate to put somebody in a spot like that. But it was best for me and my family, too. Dad was really adamant he wanted to do it.”

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Dodgers minor league pitcher Michael Vilchez, a 22-year-old right-hander out of Curacao who pitched last season for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, was among the pitchers listed in reserve for The Netherlands as part of the designated pitcher pool for the World Baseball Classic. Michael Clair at MLB.com has more info on the complete list.

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Neil de Mause writes about the economics of publicly-financed sports stadiums at Field of Schemes, and he talked to Marc Normandin about that in relation to MLB’s labor battle and the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations:

The books are never opened for a reason, and MLB teams insisting that real estate revenue made at a baseball stadium isn’t baseball revenue is another reason to keep them closed. Having to open the books and argue about what is or isn’t revenue would take longer than the rest of bargaining combined, and it’s not even clear if the owners would agree with each other, never mind the players, about what constitutes baseball revenue.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...e-thon-michael-vilchez-world-baseball-classic

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

PECOTA projects Dodgers to win 105 games

Los Angeles, CA - January 31: Manager Dave Roberts on stage during Dodgerfest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Projection systems by their nature tend to be conservative, which is why it’s rare to see such a clear outlier. When it comes to predicting baseball records, the Dodgers are standing out.

FanGraphs has the Dodgers projected for about 100 wins, 99.6 to be exact as of Tuesday morning. It’s notable because only one other team is projected for even 90 wins, with the Braves at 91.5. Similar for PECOTA projections at Baseball Prospectus, with the Dodgers at 105.2 wins and the next-best team (Mariners) at 93.1.

Seeing a projection of 105 wins is eye-popping given all the regression that goes into these systems, and it’s not the first time for this era of Dodgers baseball. Last year they were projected for 104 wins, the highest PECOTA projected win total since 2009.

“Baseball projections are supposed to end with most teams bunched up together because that’s just how baseball works: the small talent disparity between most squads and the sport’s inherently random nature come together to create tons of equality,” wrote Mario Delgado Genzor at Baseball Prospectus. “This is not supposed to be possible, for one team to be so clearly head and shoulders above the rest.”

The Dodgers now been projected by PECOTA for triple-digit wins in six of the last seven seasons, but it makes sense given that they have a .629 winning percentage dating back to 2017, a 102-win pace over 162 games, with seasons of 111, 106, 106, 104, and 100 wins during that time. They finished with the best record in MLB in four of those nine years, and were one win shy of the best record two other times.

It’s a little bit funny that the Dodgers won the World Series in each of the last two years without winning 100 games. Granted, their 98 wins were the most in MLB in 2024, but they were downright slumming it to 93 wins last year but had every key player healthy in October.

The Dodgers added premium free agents Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz to shore up their biggest weaknesses, and boast enviable pitching depth that might be their best to date. Their ultimate goal obviously is to win another World Series, but they’ll have to win a lot of games in the regular season to get there.

Today’s question is how many games will the Dodgers win in the 2026 regular season? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/daily-question/109749/dodgers-win-total-projections

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Evan Phillips re-signs with Dodgers for $6.5 million

Though there was a brief detour through free agency this offseason, Evan Phillips is back with the Dodgers for a sixth season. The veteran right-hander re-signed with Los Angeles on Wednesday on a one-year, $6.5 million contract, the team announced.

Phillips is recovering from Tommy John surgery last June 4, which is expected to sideline him until after the All-Star break in 2026. He was non-tendered by the Dodgers on November 21, making Phillips a free agent, rather than go through the salary arbitration process one more time. After earning $6.1 million in 2025, Phillips was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn the $6.1 million next season through arbitration, while Cot’s Baseball Contracts predicted the same $6.1 million salary.

After beginning the 2025 season on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain stemming from the 2024 postseason, Phillips pitched in only seven games last season, with six strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in April and May.

After getting non-tendered, the Dodgers expressed interest in bringing Phillips back, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times:

“We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said via text. “It is challenging with him coming off surgery, so he is going to take some time and look to sign after he throws off the mound when his rehab allows. Evan has been a big part of our past success and we will continue the conversation about bringing him back. We respect that he is taking this time to decide what is best for him and his family.”

Since joining the Dodgers on a waiver claim from the Rays in 2021, Phillips has been one of the best relievers in baseball, with a 2.22 ERA and 2.87 xERA in 201 games, with 221 strikeouts and 52 walks in 195 innings, and 45 saves. The right-hander is 31 years old.

To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment. Rortvedt was just re-claimed off waivers on Friday from the Reds, after the Dodgers lost him on waivers in November. This move was expected at some point, considering Rortvedt is out of options and behind Will Smith and Dalton Rushing on the depth chart. Rortvedt didn’t get through waivers the last time the Dodgers tried this in November, but if he clears waivers this time they can keep Rortvedt around for depth, but just off the 40-man roster.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-roster/108499/evan-phillips-contract-dodgers

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Which team is Dodgers’ biggest threat in NL West?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 02: A general view during the San Francisco Giants game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on August 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers are favorites to win the National League West in 2026, which is not a surprise. They have been favored to win the division nearly every year for over a decade. But perhaps the scale of their expected prowess this year stands out.

We already know that PECOTA projected the Dodgers for 105 wins this season at Baseball Prospectus, and with that came a 99.8-percent chance to make the postseason and a stunning 98.6-percent chance of winning the NL West. FanGraphs is a little more conservative, giving the Dodgers a 99.5-percent chance to make the playoffs and only a 94.4-percent chance to win the division.

Everyone else in the division is seen as either right around .500 or are the Rockies.

Team	Prospectus	FanGraphs	Average
Giants	81.3	82.3	81.8
Padres	81.9	80.1	81.0
D-backs	77.5	80.8	79.2
Rockies	60.7	65.1	62.9

The Padres will get Joe Musgrove back this year but have already lost Dylan Cease and Robert Suárez, plus Yu Darvish might retire.

The Giants got a new manager in Tony Vitello, and added a lot on the periphery, signing Harrison Bader, Luis Arráez, Tyler Mahle, and Adrian Houser.

Arizona got Merrill Kelly back, signed Mike Soroka, and will probably get ace Corbin Burnes back around the All-Star break.

The Dodgers played an NL West team in the Division Series five years in a row (2020-24) before that streak ended last year, and even then San Diego still made the postseason. Given the projections, this year might be the first time since 2019 that the division won’t have multiple playoff teams.

Today’s question is which team is the Dodgers’ biggest threat in the National League West?

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/daily-question/109771/dodgers-national-league-west-competition

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers 2026 non-roster invitees to spring training

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 07: A general aerial view of Camelback Ranch on January 07, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. The stadium is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers invited 32 non-roster players to big league camp in spring training, a mix of veterans on minor league deals plus top prospects Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Jackson Ferris, and others.

Last season, nine of the 27 non-roster invitees in big league camp eventually played for the Dodgers during the regular season, including Roki Sasaki, Dalton Rushing, and Justin Dean, who also played in the postseason.

Among the 32 initial non-roster invitees to Dodgers camp are 17 pitchers, five catchers, and 10 other position players. Here’s a little more on each player. We’ll update this list throughout spring training as roster cuts are made.

Pitchers (17)​

RHP — Chris Campos
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 25
How acquired: 2022 draft, 7th round

Campos in a full year at Double-A Tulsa in 2025 had a 4.19 ERA with 111 strikeouts and 32 walks in 126 2/3 innings. He got engaged in December.

RHP — Patrick Copen
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: 2023 draft, 7th round

After taking a line drive off his face and losing vision in his right eye to end his 2024 season, the tall right-hander had a very nice bounce-back season in 2025, posting a 3.59 ERA in 26 starts and 117 2/3 innings between Great Lakes and Tulsa, and led all Dodgers minor league pitchers with 152 strikeouts.

RHP — Carlos Durán
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 24
How acquired: minor league deal, December 12, 2025

Originally signed by the Dodgers out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, Durán last April was traded to the A’s for outfielder Esteury Ruiz. The right-hander made his major league debut with the A’s in May, but allowed three runs and recorded one out in his only major league appearance to date. Sent outright off the A’s 40-man roster in June, Durán had a 5.74 ERA in 62 2/3 Triple-A innings with nearly as many walks (55) as strikeouts (67) before reaching minor league free agency at the conclusion of the season.

LHP — Jackson Ferris
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 22
How acquired: trade with Cubs, January 11, 2024

Named to several top-100 prospect lists prior to the 2025 season, after winning the Branch Rickey Award as the Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year in 2024, Ferris took a bit of a step back in his full season in Tulsa, with a 3.86 ERA in 126 innings, with a slightly lower strikeout rate (24.2 percent after 27.4 percent) and slightly higher walk rate (10.8 percent to 11.8 percent) than the season before. But he improved down the stretch for Tulsa in 2025 — after a 6.58 ERA and 4.45 FIP in his first 12 outings, Ferris had a 2.19 ERA the rest of the way, with only three home runs allowed over his final 14 starts.

LHP — Luke Fox
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: 2023 draft, 17th round

Fox split time between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa, combining for a 2.85 ERA in 22 games, including 21 starts, with 110 strikeouts and 53 walks in 98 innings.

RHP — Nick Frasso
2025 spring training: Dodgers
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 27
How acquired: minor league deal, December 16, 2025

Frasso was acquired from the Blue Jays in the Mitch White trade in August 2022, and spent the last two seasons on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, though he hasn’t yet pitched in the majors. After shoulder and hip surgeries wiped out his 2024 season, Frasso had a 5.49 ERA in 43 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025, with 68 strikeouts and 42 walks in 77 innings, before getting non-tendered in November.

RHP — Carson Hobbs
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: 2023 draft, 11th round

Hobbs pitched in the back end of the bullpen for both Great Lakes and Tulsa, putting up a 2.04 ERA in 42 games, with 63 strikeouts and 21 walks in 53 innings. His 20.9-percent strikeout-minus walk rate was third-best in the Dodgers minors with a minimum of 50 innings.

LHP — Cole Irvin
2025 spring training: Doosan (Korea)
2025 highest level: Korean Baseball Organization
2026 age: 32
How acquired: minor league deal, February 3, 2026

The veteran starter pitched six seasons in the majors for the Phillies, A’s, Orioles, and Twins before heading over to the KBO in 2025. Irvin put up a 4.48 ERA in 28 starts for Doosan last year, with 128 strikeouts and 79 walks in 144 2/3 innings.

LHP — Antoine Kelly
2025 spring training: Rockies (minors)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 26
How acquired: minor league deal, November 14, 2025

A second-round pick of the Brewers in 2019, Kelly has pitched six seasons in the minors in the Brewers, Rangers, and Rockies systems. He had a 5.63 ERA in 34 relief appearances in 2025 for Triple-A Albuquerque, with 41 strikeouts and 27 walks in 38 1/3 innings. On the road last year, away from pitching on the moon, Kelly had a 3.43 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 21 innings, plus zero home runs and a .345 slugging percentage allowed.

LHP — Garrett McDaniels
2025 spring training: Angels
2025 highest level: MLB (Angels)
2026 age: 26
How acquired: returned from Rule 5 Draft, June 14, 2025

McDaniels struggled in his brief time in the majors in Anaheim, but once he returned to the Dodgers put up a 3.30 ERA in 25 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 36 strikeouts and 17 walks in 30 innings.

RHP — Wyatt Mills
2025 spring training: Red Sox (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, August 16, 2025

After pitching parts of two-seasons for the Mariners and Royals, Mills had Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2023-24 seasons. Last year in Triple-A Worcester, Mills put up a 3.12 ERA in 52 innings, with 49 strikeouts and 30 walks.

RHP — José Rodríguez
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: international free agent, 2019

Signed out of Mexico seven years ago, Rodríguez went unselected in December’s Rule 5 Draft, allowing him to remain with the Dodgers. The right-hander had a 5.50 ERA in 54 innings between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, with a high strikeout rate (34.1 percent) and high walk rate (14.2 percent). Rodríguez was ranked the Dodgers’ No. 29 prospect this preseason by Baseball America, and rated 30th in the system by FanGraphs.

RHP — Jerming Rosario
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: international free agent, July 2, 2018

Rosario repeated with Double-A Tulsa last season and switched from starting to relief pitching, putting up a 4.67 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 51 walks in 79 innings.

RHP — Ryder Ryan
2025 spring training: Pirates (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, January 28, 2026

The older brother of Dodgers pitcher River Ryan, Ryder pitched in parts of 2023-24 in the majors with the Mariners and Pirates. Last year in the Pirates system, Ryder Ryan had a 4.73 ERA in 42 games, with 61 strikeouts and 38 walks in 72 1/3 innings in Triple-A Indianapolis.

LHP — Adam Serwinowski
2025 spring training: Reds (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 22
How acquired: 3-team trade, July 31, 2025

Serwinowski ended his season with one start for Tulsa, after dominating in six starts for High-A Great Lakes, with 44 strikeouts and 14 strikeouts to go with his 1.83 ERA that earned him Midwest League pitcher of the month honors for August.

RHP — Jordan Weems
2025 spring training: Braves (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB (Astros)
2026 age: 33
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 9, 2026

Weems pitched in the majors in each of the last six seasons, including allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings for Houston in 2025. Between Gwinnett and Sugar Land in Triple-A, the right-hander had a 4.44 ERA in 39 games, with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks in 46 2/3 innings.

RHP — Lucas Wepf
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: non-drafted free agent, 2022

Wepf had a 2.79 ERA in 23 games for Tulsa last season with 36 strikeouts, 16 walks, and no home runs allowed in 29 innings. But his season ended in June, missing the final two and a half months on the injured list.

Catchers (5)​

C — Eliézer Alfonzo
Bats both, throws right
2025 spring training: Tigers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 26
How acquired: minor league free agent, November 17, 2025

Alfonzo spent the last nine years in the Detroit Tigers’ minor league system. He hit .247/.297/.322 with 14 doubles in 65 games last season, including eight games with Triple-A Toledo in his first time at that level. His father, also named Eliézer Alfonzo, played six seasons in the majors and was a non-roster invitee in Dodgers camp in 2013.

C — Griffin Lockwood-Powell
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 28
How acquired: non-drafted free agent, 2021

Hit .226/.350/.326 in 81 games last year while repeating in Double-A Tulsa. Started five games at first base and five more at designated hitter in addition to his team-leading 69 starts behind the plate in 2025.

C — Nelson Quiroz
Bats left, throws right
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 24
How acquired: international free agent, April 1, 2019

Quiroz split time between Great Lakes and Tulsa last season, and hit .333/.393/.441 with 13 doubles and a 139 wRC+ in 55 games between both levels.

C — Chuckie Robinson
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Angels
2025 highest level: MLB (Dodgers)
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league deal, December 18, 2025

Robinson spent time on the 40-man rosters of the Angels, Dodgers, and Braves in 2025, but only played in the majors in one game, with Los Angeles in September. After ending the season in the minors with Atlanta, the veteran backstop signed a minor league deal with Dodgers in December.

C — Seby Zavala
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Red Sox (NRI)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 32
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 5, 2026

Zavala played parts of five seasons in the majors. Last year he his .165/.274/.340 with eight home runs in 67 games for Triple-A Worcester.

Position players (11)​

OF — Josue De Paula
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 21
How acquired: international free agent, 2022

De Paula is the highest-rated Dodgers prospect by average ranking entering 2026, ranked between 14th and 24th in baseball by Baseball Prospectus, MLB Pipeline, The Athletic, ESPN, and Baseball America. This came after a .250/.391/.400 season with a 132 wRC+ and 32 steals, mostly for Great Lakes before getting promoted to Tulsa for the final week of the season. De Paula also homered in the 2025 MLB Futures Game in Atlanta to win game MVP honors.

OF — Zach Ehrhard
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Red Sox (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 23
How acquired: trade with Boston, July 31, 2025

A fourth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2024, Ehrhard came to the Dodgers in the Dustin May trade along with fellow NRI James Tibbs III. Ehrhard hit .282/.391/.466 with a 143 wRC+ and 13 extra-base hits in 35 games with Double-A Tulsa.

IF/OF — Ryan Fitzgerald
Bats left, throws right
2025 spring training: Twins (minors)
2025 highest level: MLB (Twins)
2026 age: 32
How acquired: waiver claim, January 9, 2026

The utility man made his major league debut with the Twins at age 31 last season, splitting his time almost evenly between shortstop, second base, and third base. In his minor league career, Fitzgerald has started at all three outfield spots and all four infield positions. Fitzgerald was designated for assignment when the Dodgers signed Andy Ibáñez on January 13, then a week later after clearing waivers was sent outright to the minors.

OF — Kendall George
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: High-A
2026 age: 21
How acquired: 2023 draft, first round

The speedy center fielder stole an eye-popping 100 bases for Great Lakes, just the fourth player in Dodgers organizational history to do so. He got there with a strong second-half kick that improved his seasonal line to .295/.409/.370 with a 131 wRC+.

1B/OF — Matt Gorski
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Pirates (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 28
How acquired: minor league free agent, July 23, 2025

Gorski made his major league debut last April with the Pirates, got hurt in Triple-A Indianapolis in May, and was released in July. The Dodgers signed him to a minor league deal last July, but he spent the rest of the season on the injured list and has not yet played in the organization.

1B/2B/LF — Keston Kiura
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Rockies (NRI)
2025 highest level: MLB
2026 age: 29
How acquired: minor league free agent, February 12, 2026

Hiura has played parts of six seasons in the majors with the Brewers, Angels, and Rockies, though only 18 of those games came in the last three seasons. The former UC Irvine Anteater hit .272/.369/.507 with a 107 wRC+ and 21 home runs in 100 games with Triple-A Albquerque in 2025.

OF — Zyhir Hope
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (NRI)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 21
How acquired: trade with Cubs, January 11, 2024

Hope hit .266/.376/.428 with a 131 wRC+ mostly for Great Lakes, and was promoted with De Paula to Tulsa for the final week of the season. Hope’s average rank of the five national outlets so far is the 37th-best prospect in baseball heading into 2026, topping out at No. 18 at Baseball Prospectus.

SS — Noah Miller
Bats both, throws right
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 23
How acquired: trade with Twins, February 27, 2024

Acquired for Manuel Margot before the 2024 season, Miller struggled at the plate in his first taste of Triple-A, hitting .238/.269/.344 in 59 games for Oklahoma City. But strong defense his his calling card. Baseball America rated Miller the Dodgers’ 23rd-best prospect in the system and said, “Miller is the Dodgers’ best infield defender and has the skills to lock down any position on the dirt. He is quick, agile and fearless and has a strong, accurate throwing arm as well. Those skills alone should get him to the big leagues and keep him there for a long time.”

OF — Chris Newell
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Dodgers (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 25
How acquired: 2022 draft, 13th round

Newell hit .241/.346/.428 with a 118 wRC+ for Tulsa last season with 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases. Coupled with his 25 home runs and 31 steals in 2024, Newell is the only Dodgers minor leaguer with a 20-homer, 20-steal season (let alone two) in the last four years.

IF/OF — Nick Senzel
Bats right, throws right
2025 spring training: Mexican League (independent)
2025 highest level: Triple-A
2026 age: 31
How acquired: minor league free agent, May 1, 2025

Senzel played parts of six seasons in the majors (2019-24) with the Reds, Nationals, and White Sox before joining the Dodgers last season. In 2025 with Oklahoma City, Senzel started games at third base, left field, right field, shortstop, second base, and center field.

OF — James Tibbs III
Bats left, throws left
2025 spring training: Giants (minors)
2025 highest level: Double-A
2026 age: 23
How acquired: trade with Boston, July 31, 2025

A first-round pick of the Giants in 2024, Tibbs was traded for Rafael Devers in June, then dealt with Ehrhard for Dustin May in July. With Tulsa, Ehrhard hit .269/.407/.493 with a 155 wRC+ and seven home runs in 36 games after the latter trade. Tibbs was rated the Dodgers’ ninth-best prospect heading into this season by FanGraphs.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-roster/109176/dodgers-non-roster-invitees-2026-spring-training

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers sign Keston Hiura to minor league deal, per reports

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 13: Colorado Rockies first baseman Keston Hiura (7) during the MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves on June 13, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

On a busy transactional day that saw the Dodgers bring back utility man Kiké Hernández and extend third baseman Max Muncy, they also have signed infielder Keston Hiura to a minor league contract, per multiple reports.

Hiura will receive a non-roster invitation to big league camp, per both Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic, bringing the total number of NRIs in camp to 33 players.

The 29-year-old who went to Valencia High School in Santa Clarita and played college baseball at UC Irvine has played parts of six seasons in the major leagues. But most of his time in the last three seasons has been in Triple-A for the Brewers, Angels, Tigers, and Rockies, with a total of 18 games in the majors during that time with the Angels in 2024 and Rockies in 2025.

Hiura in the bulk of his time in the majors, mostly with the Brewers from 2019-22, came at second base. But over the last three years in the minors and majors combined, Hiura started 166 games at first base, 28 games at third base, and 24 games at second base.

For Triple-A Albuquerque in 2025, Hiura hit .272/.369/.507 with a 107 wRC+ and 21 home runs in 100 games, and had four hits in 18 at-bats, including a double in eight games with the Rockies.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...109834/keston-hiura-dodgers-minor-league-deal

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Every Dodgers transaction throughout 2026 season

Feb 18, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Gomes talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) during spring training at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Here is every transaction for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the entire 2026 season, starting with the first day of spring training through the end of the team’s postseason run.

We will keep track of every single transaction involving the 40-man roster here, including players getting called up or sent down to the minor leagues, as well as signings, trades, waiver claims, getting designated for assignment, or released.

Also here will be every injured list stint, though we will also tract all the IL moves in their own post. We’ll also have another post that keeps track of minor league options, with a limit of five times a player can be optioned to the minors beginning after opening day.

Each Dodgers transaction has its own section on True Blue LA, and you can click on any link below to get detailed information on each roster move. For more transactions from the 2025-26 offseason, click here. Here are all the roster moves from the 2025 season as well.

Note: On a mobile device, this table will show up best in landscape mode.

No.	Pitchers (23+1)	Bat/throw	2026 age	Service	Options (used)
78	Ben Casparius	R/R	27	1.016	2 (2024)
3	Edwin Díaz	R/R	32	9.121	n/a
86	Jack Dreyer	R/L	27	1.000	3 (none)
65	Paul Gervase	R/R	26	0.021	2 (2025)
31	Tyler Glasnow	L/R	32	8.158	n/a
48	Brusdar Graterol	R/R	27	5.167	2 (2021)
60	Edgardo Henriquez	R/R	24	0.164	2 (2025)
63	Kyle Hurt	R/R	28	1.099	2 (2024)
61	Will Klein	R/R	26	0.081	2 (2024)
96	Landon Knack	L/R	28	0.119	2 (2024)
Ronan Kopp	L/L	23	0.000	3 (none)
28	Bobby Miller	R/R	27	1.119	1 (2024-25)
59	Evan Phillips (60-IL)	R/R	31	5.136	n/a
77	River Ryan	R/R	27	1.070	3 (none)
11	Roki Sasaki	R/R	24	1.000	3 (none)
66	Tanner Scott	R/L	31	7.059	n/a
80	Emmet Sheehan	R/R	26	2.080	2 (2023)
7	Blake Snell	L/L	33	9.072	n/a
41	Brock Stewart	R/R	34	4.093	0 (2016-19)
35	Gavin Stone	R/R	27	2.034	2 (2023)
49	Blake Treinen	R/R	38	11.065	n/a
51	Alex Vesia	L/L	30	5.078	1 (2021,’23)
70	Justin Wrobleski	L/L	25	0.150	2 (2024)
18	Yoshinobu Yamamoto	R/R	27	2.000	n/a
No.	Two-way players (1)	Bat/throw	2026 age	Service	Options (used)
17	Shohei Ohtani	L/R	31	8.000	n/a
No.	Catchers (2)	Bat/throw	2026 age	Service	Options (used)
68	Dalton Rushing	L/R	25	0.138	3 (none)
16	Will Smith	R/R	31	6.090	3 (none)
No.	Infielders (5)	Bat/throw	2026 age	Service	Options (used)
50	Mookie Betts	R/R	33	11.070	n/a
76	Alex Freeland	S/R	24	0.038	2 (2025)
5	Freddie Freeman	L/R	36	15.033	n/a
13	Max Muncy	L/R	36	9.027	n/a
72	Miguel Rojas	R/R	37	11.043	n/a
No.	Outfielders (5)	Bat/throw	2026 age	Service	Options (used)
12	Alex Call	R/R	31	2.161	2 (2024)
37	Teoscar Hernández	R/R	33	8.097	n/a
44	Andy Pages	R/R	25	1.155	1 (2023-24)
Michael Siani	L/L	26	1.063	1 (2023, 2025)
23	Kyle Tucker	L/R	29	6.079	n/a
No.	Infielder/outfielders (4)	Bat/throw	2026 age	Service	Options (used)
25	Tommy Edman	S/R	31	6.114	n/a
8	Kiké Hernández	R/R	33	11.054	n/a
6	Hyeseong Kim	L/R	27	0.149	2 (2025)
Ryan Ward	L/R	28	0.000	3 (none)

Age is as of June 30, 2026

Click on the dates below for more detailed information on each transaction:

February 12: Anthony Banda traded to Twins for international bonus pool space.

February 12: Kiké Hernández signed for one year, $4.5 million. Evan Phillips was placed on 60-day injured list.

February 12: Max Muncy signed extension for one year, $10 million, with 2028 club option.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-roster/109828/dodgers-roster-transactions-2026

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Max Muncy climbing the Dodgers home run list

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with Teoscar Hernández #37 after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, September 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma Sharon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Max Muncy is one of the great success stories in Dodgers history. Signed to a minor league contract at age 26 after a pair of underwhelming seasons with the Oakland A’s, Muncy has been a productive member of a team that has won four pennants and three championships during his first eight years in Los Angeles.

The deal Muncy finalized Thursday keeps him under contract for two more seasons plus a club option for 2028 as well. That gives him a chance to add to his already prodigious totals with the Dodgers.

Muncy has two seasons with 36 home runs and two more with 35. The only other Dodger with that many seasons of at least 35 homers is Duke Snider, with five straight years of 40-plus. Muncy in June hit his 200th home run with the Dodgers, and ended the year with 209 home runs, good for seventh place in franchise history.

Most home runs, Dodgers history​

1. Duke Snider 389
2. Gil Hodges 361
3. Eric Karros 270
4. Roy Campanella 242
5. Ron Cey 228
6. Steve Garvey 211
7. Max Muncy 209
8. Matt Kemp 203
9. Carl Furillo 192
10. Mike Piazza 177

Injuries have interrupted Muncy’s last two seasons, with 15 home runs in roughly half a season in 2024 and 19 home runs in 100 games in 2025. If Muncy hits another 19 home runs in 2026, he’ll tie Ron Cey for fifth place on the Dodgers list. At least 33 home runs gets Muncy into fourth place.

Today’s question is how many home runs will Max Muncy hit this season for the Dodgers? Give us your guesses in the comments below.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/daily-question/109844/max-muncy-home-runs-dodgers

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

A Dodgers Valentine’s Day

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 16: New York Mets' manager Bobby Valentine gets a kiss from Los Angeles Dodgers' vice president Tommy Lasorda at the New York Athletic Club, where Valentine was honored as the club's manager of the year. (Photo by Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) | NY Daily News via Getty Images

It’s Valentine’s Day today, so I hope you will all spend your Saturday thinking about Bobby Valentine, who played for the Dodgers from 1969-72, or maybe 2005 third baseman and shortstop José Valentín, or perhaps Tom Lovett, a pitcher for Brooklyn in the 19th century.

Or maybe Sandy Amorós can get you in the mood after watching his incredible catch from Game 7 of the 1955 World Series.

Today’s question is a simple one: Who or what made you fall in love with baseball?

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/daily-question/109873/dodgers-valentines-day

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers notes: Alex Vesia, Max Muncy, Anthony Banda

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks back to the dugout during Game Three of the National League Championship Series presented by loanDepot between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, October 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Alex Vesia threw a bullpen session as did many other Dodgers pitchers on the first official day of workouts at Camelback Ranch in Arizona. Then the veteran left-hander spoke to reporters en masse for the first time since the death of his newborn daughter Sterling in October.

Vesia read a prepared statement for six minutes on Friday, the transcript of which you can read here from Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic and can watch the video here courtesy of SportsNet LA.

Alex Vesia speaks publicly for the first time since October, sharing a heartfelt message and encouraging others facing loss to seek help.

“For those out there who have lost a child or are fighting through any struggle… please seek help. Talk to somebody.” pic.twitter.com/8yC9fdmT37

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 13, 2026

“I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we’re carrying her with us every day,” Vesia said Friday. “It’s been hard, but we’re doing okay.”

“I know his teammates are excited to have him back,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Friday. “Our hearts went out to him and Kayla. You don’t wish that on anyone.”

More on Vesia from Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register and from Jack Harris of The California Post.

---

Max Muncy’s contract extension signed Thursday has him under contract with the Dodgers through his age-36 season and, if the 2028 club option is exercised, at age 37 as well. He talked to Rowan Kavner at Fox Sports on Friday about staying in Los Angeles.

“I like to be loyal and my relationships mean a lot. I’ve created such a relationship with the staff, the front office, the coaches, the medical and training staff, the clubhouse guys,” Muncy said. I just don’t want to create that somewhere else. Being here for my entire career at this point would mean the world to me, and this gives me the chance to do that.“

---

One day after getting traded to the Twins, Anthony Banda penned a thank you to Los Angeles on Instagram for his two years in the Dodgers, thanking the city, his teammates, coaches, and fans.

“The last two seasons changed my career,” Banda wrote. “I’ll always be grateful for my time in LA. This chapter meant a lot to me.”

---

The Tulsa Drillers, the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate, unveiled a new alternate uniform for this season, with an oil derrick on the cap and honoring Route 66 on the jersey. From the press release: “A reflection of the infamous Route 66 neons, the blue outline imitates the familiar glow.”

Introducing our Tulsa Connects, where Drillers baseball meets the legacy of Route 66 in its Centennial year. pic.twitter.com/b2E6renBpO

— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) February 13, 2026

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-links/109861/dodgers-alex-vesia-max-muncy-anthony-banda

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers & MLB history of going for 3 in a row

LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 3, 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers superstars Shohei Ohtani, left, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto acknowledge fans lining the streets of downtown Los Angeles for the Dodgers World Championship Parade and Celebration. The Dodgers are the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles since the Yankees did it in 1998. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Dodgers are in rarefied air in their long franchise history going into 2026, having won consecutive championships for the first time. What’s next on the checklist is trying to become the fifth MLB team to win at least three World Series in a row.

MLB teams winning 3+ championships in a row​

• New York Yankees 1949-53 (5)
• New York Yankees 1936-39 (4)
• Oakland A’s 1972-74
• New York Yankees 1998-2000

The Yankees understandably dominate this list, with several extended periods of dominance in their storied history. These represent different eras as well. The two longest title streaks came in a league of 16 teams and no divisional play. The A’s in the 1970s were in a 24-team MLB and had to go through a best-of-5 League Championship Series. The Yankees from 1998-2000 are the only team of this group to be in our modern era, with 30 MLB teams and two extra rounds of playoffs before the World Series.

The Yankees are the only MLB team to win three titles in a row after Pat Riley trademarked the term “Three-peat” in 1989. Riley was ahead of his time, even though his Lakers team that year ran into a Pistons-sized roadblock in the NBA Finals, getting swept after an 11-0 start to their postseason. Multiple trademarks for “Three-peat” are still active under Riles & Company, Inc., which means any such marketing (shirts, hats, etc.) have to go through Riley for approval and/or compensation for use.

The Dodgers in 2026 are just the third team coming off consecutive championships and going for a third straight title in the wild card era, along with those Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994. In all there have been 21 teams prior to the Dodgers to win the previous two World Series.

Year	Team	W	L	Pct	Finish
1909	Cubs	104	49	.680	2nd (behind 110-win Pirates)
1912	Philadelphia A’s	90	62	.592	3rd (behind 105-win Red Sox)
1917	Red Sox	90	62	.592	2nd (behind 100-win White Sox)
1923	NY Giants	95	58	.621	lost World Series (4-2) to NYY
1929	Yankees	88	66	.571	2nd (behind 104-win A’s)
1931	Philadelphia A’s	107	45	.704	lost World Series (4-3) to StL
1938	Yankees	99	53	.651	won World Series (4-0) over Cubs
1939	Yankees	106	45	.702	won World Series (4-0) over Reds
1940	Yankees	88	66	.571	3rd
1951	Yankees	98	56	.636	won World Series (4-2) over NYG
1952	Yankees	95	59	.617	won World Series (4-3) over Dodgers
1953	Yankees	99	52	.656	won World Series (4-2) over Dodgers
1954	Yankees	103	51	.669	2nd (behind 111-win Cle)
1963	Yankees	104	57	.646	lost World Series (4-0) to LA
1974	Oakland A’s	90	72	.556	won World Series (4-1) over LA
1975	Oakland A’s	98	64	.605	lost ALCS (3-0) at Bos
1977	Reds	88	74	.543	2nd (behind 98-win LA)
1979	Yankees	89	71	.556	4th
1994	Blue Jays	55	60	.478	3rd
2000	Yankees	87	74	.540	won World Series (4-1) over NYM
2001	Yankees	95	65	.594	lost World Series (4-3) to AZ

Eleven teams, just over half of the 21, reached the World Series after winning the previous two, with seven championships. In the divisional era, four of seven teams reached the World Series, with two wins.

This is the sixth time the Dodgers have won two pennants in a row — 1952-53 and 1955-56 in Brooklyn, plus 1965-66, 1977-78, 2017-18, and 2024-25 in Los Angeles. They have yet to win three pennants in a row, and this is their only time winning consecutive championships.

The only one of the previous 21 back-to-back champs to finish under .500 in Year 3 were the 1994 Blue Jays, who were 55-60 when a strike ended that season in August.

It stands to reason that a team winning two championships in a row will still be good the next year. These 22 teams have an average .609 winning percentage, roughly 99 wins over 162 games.

The Dodgers this year are in that range, projected to have the best record in baseball by a wide margin. But like this current era of Dodgers baseball, they won’t be judged by the regular season, but rather how they do in October.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...9018/dodgers-mlb-history-championship-streaks

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Mets claim Ben Rortvedt off waivers from Dodgers

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 24: Ben Rortvedt #47 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The itinerant offseason of Ben Rortvedt continued on Sunday, as the catcher was claimed off waivers by the Mets, and a case of unfortunate timing for the Dodgers.

After September injuries to both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers liked trade deadline acquisition Rortvedt enough to start him 19 times in 25 games down the stretch, including each of the first four games of the postseason until Smith was ready to fully return from a broken bone in his hand.

The Dodgers liked Rortvedt enough to sign him for $1.25 million in November to avoid salary arbitration, but since he is out of options and the club is invested in Rushing as Smith’s backup, Rortvedt can’t be kept around on the 40-man roster unless he’s active. So they tried to sneak him through waivers to be kept around as depth, twice, but in November the Reds claimed Rortvedt and three months later New York claimed him.

Timing cost the Dodgers in two ways in Rortvedt’s second stint on the roster. The first was less under their control, as Rortvedt became available soon after Cincinnati designated the catcher for assignment with the signing of Eugenio Suárez on February 3.

Even had the Reds waited a few days to place Rortvedt on waivers, the latest he would have been available was February 10, two days before pitchers and catchers officially reported to Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch. So the Dodgers couldn’t yet place someone on the 60-day injured list to make room for a new player. In claiming Rortvedt, the Dodgers decided to designate Anthony Banda for assignment, then traded the southpaw reliever to the Twins on Thursday.

The second case of unfortunate timing was more in the Dodgers’ control. They could have kept Rortvedt on the 40-man roster through spring training as a hedge against potential injury to Smith or Rushing. After all, in a best-case scenario Rortvedt wouldn’t need to be sent to the minors until opening day anyway. There’s also the game theory of trying to find the ideal time for Rortvedt to clear waivers. Rather than wait until later in spring, they opted to do so at the beginning of camp for most teams. The Mets, for instance, placed pitcher Dedniel Núñez on the 60-day injured list on Sunday to make room for Rortvedt.

Rortvedt was designated for assignment by the Dodgers this time around when the Dodgers signed Evan Phillips on Wednesday. Had the Dodgers waited a day or two to sign Phillips, they could have placed Brock Stewart on the 60-day injured list to make room, though his exact timetable after October shoulder surgery isn’t yet known. They already placed Phillips on the 60-day IL on Friday when they signed Kiké Hernández, who himself is expected to be out until midseason after left elbow surgery, general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters on Sunday in Arizona.

The Mets with Rortvedt have four catchers on the 40-man roster, so it’s entirely possible that with five and a half weeks remaining until opening day that Rortvedt might become available yet again this spring. Nothing is set in stone, after all.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-roster/109890/ben-rortvedt-waivers-dodgers-mets

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers have 5 prospects ranked in FanGraphs top 110

Mar 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

FanGraphs on Monday put out its top prospects in baseball, with five Dodgers ranked in the top 110 entering the 2026.

Eric Longenhagen, Brendan Gawlowski, and James Fegan wrote up the prospects, a list that was expanded from 100 to 110 to account for the prospects with a Future Value rating of 50 (on the 20-to-80 scouting scale) or higher.

Three outfielders lead the Dodgers contingent represented here, with Josue De Paula ranked 17th, Zyhir Hope 41st, and Eduardo Quintero 43rd.

De Paula is ranked between 14th and 24th on prospect lists at FanGraphs, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN, The Athletic, and MLB Pipeline, with an average ranking of 18.5. Says FanGraphs of his future: “De Paula’s combination of present raw power and long-term physical projection give him a great shot to develop 40-homer raw power at peak, though it’s debatable whether his hitting skills are the kind that will allow him to actualize all of that raw thump in games.”

Other Dodgers to show up on the list at FanGraphs are shortstop Emil Morales ranked 61st and pitcher River Ryan at 107th coming back from Tommy John surgery. De Paula (48th) and Ryan (101st) are the only Dodgers returning from last year’s preseason ranking at FanGraphs.

Based on the FanGraphs Dodgers team prospect rankings from December, the next prospects in line in the system are, in order, outfielder Mike Sirota, pitcher Christian Zazueta, and shortstop Alex Freeland.

Player	Pos	2026 preseason	2025 preseason
Josue De Paula	OF	17	48
Zyhir Hope	OF	41	NR
Eduardo Quintero	OF	43	NR
Emil Morales	SS	61	NR
River Ryan	SP	107	101

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-prospects/109898/dodgers-prospects-fangraphs-2026

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Tommy Edman will start season on injured list, Dave Roberts says

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 01: Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a sacrifice fly ball that allows Mookie Betts #50 to score in the sixth inning during Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

We knew Tommy Edman was behind in spring training after undergoing right ankle surgery in November, and on Monday morning at Camelback Ranch, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ruled out the utility man for opening day. Edman will begin the regular season on the injured list, per the many beat reporters on site in Arizona.

From Katie Woo at The Athletic:

“Just looking as to where his ankle is at, trying to play the long view,” Roberts said. “You don’t want to have any regression or setbacks, so how can we be methodical with it. For me, knowing he’s just taking swings, isn’t up to full speed doing the baseball stuff, it takes a lot to get your body into baseball shape. We’re not going to rush it. Want to put him in the best position.”

This mirrors what Edman said during Dodgers Fest at Dodger Stadium on January 31, just two and a half weeks after his walking boot was removed.

“I’m really hopeful I’ll be able to put the ankle injuries of the last couple of years behind me. It’s something I kind of dealt with throughout ’24 and ’25, and I feel like it affected the way to play the game I normally would be able to,” Edman said in January. “I’m thankful I got the surgery when I did, and everything’s gone very smooth with recovery so far. The part of the ankle that was bugging me hasn’t popped up at all during recovery. Now it’s just getting used to putting weight on that leg and pushing off in an efficient way.

“The timetable is more of as I progress, so it’s kind of hard to say when I’ll be able to hop back into a major league game again. … I want to make sure I’m a full go, and don’t have to worry about [the ankle] again the rest of the year.”

Coupled with the newly-re-signed Kiké Hernández out until roughly midseason after left elbow surgery, that opens up a few roster spots among Dodgers position players for the early part of the season, including Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland in the mix for playing time at second base along with veteran Miguel Rojas.

Dave Roberts said Tommy Edman won’t be ready for Opening Day as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. The Dodgers have plenty of options, including Hyeseong Kim, Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland among them.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) February 16, 2026

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...s/109908/tommy-edman-injured-list-right-ankle

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers ring ceremony is March 27, Dontrelle Willis returns to SportsNet LA booth

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 13: Former major league ballplayer Dontrelle Willis looks on before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In addition to announcing its spring training broadcast schedule, SportsNet LA on Tuesday announced the bulk of its broadcast plans for the regular season in 2026.

With the Dodgers’ opening day battle against the Arizona Diamondbacks exclusively televised by NBC and streamed on Peacock, the first regular season game for SportsNet LA will be Friday, March 27, the second game of the season. That’s also the night of the championship ring ceremony before the game, which will be part of the SportsNet LA broadcast. For that March 27 broadcast, the pre-game Access SportsNet: Dodgers will be expanded to run for 90 minutes, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PT.

The full exclusive national broadcast schedule for the season hasn’t yet been revealed. Apple TV+ hasn’t yet announced its first half schedule, and usually unveiled each successive month during the season. There are also a few other weeknight ESPN games that haven’t yet been finalized. Last year there were 17 Dodgers games exclusively on national television, leaving 145 for SportsNet LA. In 2024, the split was 16 national games and 146 SportsNet LA contests. Expect a similar number for this season.

Joe Davis and Stephen Nelson will handle the regular season play-by-play duties on SportsNet LA. The split of games hasn’t been revealed, but Davis — who is also the lead national MLB announcer for Fox Sports — has called 87 games for SportsNet LA in each of the last three years.

Orel Hershiser is back as the lead television analyst, in his 11th season calling Dodgers games. Eric Karros and Jessica Mendoza will also continue to call games on SportsNet LA.

Of news this year is the return of Dontrelle Willis to the booth as a game analyst for SportsNet LA, which he did from 2022-23 as well. Willis, who also works nationally as a Fox Sports studio analyst and Apple TV+ game analyst, was hired by the Dodgers to broadcast in 2022 and has been a studio analyst in each of his first four seasons, and will do the same in addition to calling some games as well in 2026. Three years ago, Willis called 12 games for SportsNet LA.

Other studio analysts for SportsNet LA this season are all returning faces — Nomar Garciaparra, Adrián González, Jerry Hairston Jr., Orel Hershiser, and James Loney — along with host John Hartung.

Game reporter Kirsten Watson is back for her sixth season on SportsNet LA, which also includes studio programming. David Vassegh will occasionally fill in as field reporter for some television broadcasts, as he has in years past, cast or not.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...dgers-ring-ceremony-dontrelle-willis-tv-booth

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers 2026 spring training broadcast schedule

Tim Neverett and Rick Monday call a Dodgers spring training game for SportsNet LA on February 20, 2025.

The Dodgers on Tuesday announced the broadcast schedule for spring training, with 29 of 31 exhibition games televised by SportsNet LA, plus an extra game that serves as a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic.

The Dodgers begin their spring training schedule this Saturday against the Angels in Tempe.

The only two Cactus League games not televised by SportsNet LA are on split-squad days. On Saturday, February 28, the Dodgers will televise their game against the Cubs at Camelback Ranch, while their game in Surprise against the Rangers won’t be televised. Same for Sunday, March 15, with the home game against the Rangers on TV locally, but their road game in Mesa against the Cubs not on SportsNet LA. That March 15 Dodgers-Cubs game will be televised by the Marquee Sports Network, which means that Cubs broadcast will be available to watch on MLBtv.

SportsNet LA will also televise the Dodgers’ exhibition game on Wednesday, March 4 against Team Mexico in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

Tim Neverett and Rick Monday are back for the television call for the Dodgers games in Arizona. For the exhibition Freeway Series against the Angels from March 22-24 in Southern California, Stephen Nelson will call play-by-play for SportsNet LA.

AM 570 will simulcast the SportsNet LA call for 17 spring training games. KTNQ 1020 AM will broadcast eight games from spring training, with José Mota and Luis Cruz on the Spanish-language call for the first five games in the Cactus League as well as the three Freeway Series games in Southern California.

Date	Opponent	Time (PT)	TV	Radio
Sat, Feb 21	at Angels	12:10 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ
Sun, Feb 22	at Padres	12:10 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ
Mon, Feb 23	Mariners	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ
Tue, Feb 24	Guardians	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	KTNQ
Wed, Feb 25	at D-backs	12:10 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ
Thu, Feb 26	White Sox	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Fri, Feb 27	at Giants	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Sat, Feb 28	Cubs (ss)	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Sat, Feb 28	at Rangers (ss)	12:05 p.m.	none	none
Sun, Mar 1	Angels	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Mon, Mar 2	at Rockies	12:10 p.m.	SNLA	none
Tue, Mar 3	at Guardians	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Wed, Mar 4	Mexico (WBC prep)	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Thu, Mar 5	at Reds	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Fri, Mar 6	Royals	5:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Sat, Mar 7	Rockies	5:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Sun, Mar 8	at A’s	1:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Mon, Mar 9	at Brewers	1:10 p.m.	SNLA	none
Tue, Mar 10	D-backs	1:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Thu, Mar 12	Reds	6:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Fri, Mar 13	at Mariners	6:10 p.m.	SNLA	none
Sat, Mar 14	at White Sox	1:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Sun, Mar 15	Rangers (ss)	1:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Sun, Mar 15	at Cubs (ss)	1:05 p.m.	Marquee (Cubs)	none
Mon, Mar 16	Brewers	1:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Tue, Mar 17	at Royals	6:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Wed, Mar 18	Giants	1:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Fri, Mar 20	Padres	6:05 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570
Sat, Mar 21	A’s	12:05 p.m.	SNLA	none
Sun, Mar 22	at Angels (Anaheim)	6:07 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ
Mon, Mar 23	Angels (LA)	6:10 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ
Tue, Mar 24	Angels (LA)	5:10 p.m.	SNLA	AM 570, KTNQ

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...ia/109670/dodgers-spring-training-tv-schedule

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Shohei Ohtani will DH Dodgers first 2 spring games, Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts this weekend

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers open their Cactus League schedule this weekend with a pair of road games — Saturday against the Angels in Tempe, and Sunday vs. the Padres in Peoria. Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup for each of the first two games, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. Additionally, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start either Saturday or Sunday.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to start one of this weekend's first two Cactus League games, and Shohei Ohtani is expected to DH in both, per Dave Roberts.

— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) February 18, 2026

Dave Roberts said Yamamoto will start either Saturday or Sunday and Ohtani will DH this weekend. #Dodgers

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) February 18, 2026

It’s the earliest Ohtani will have played in a spring training game in his now three years with Los Angeles. In 2024, when he was coming off a second Tommy John surgery the previous September, Ohtani’s first spring game for the Dodgers was February 27, five days after their Cactus League opener. Last season, coming off left shoulder surgery in the previous November, Ohtani didn’t play in a spring game until February 28, eight days after the Dodgers’ opener.

Ohtani homered in each of those first two spring games.

Whether Yamamoto starts Saturday or Sunday, it will likely be his only Cactus League appearance before leaving to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic, with training camp beginning in Tokyo next Friday, February 27.

Either way, counting his time away pitching for Japan, there is time this spring for at least five starts for Yamamoto to build up toward the regular season. Count that as a benefit to opening the season the same time as everyone else, rather than beginning more than a week early on a different continent.

Both Dodgers games this weekend will start at 12:10 p.m. PT, and both will be televised by SportsNet LA, simulcast on AM 570, and broadcast in Spanish on KTNQ 1020 AM.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...ni-yoshinobu-yamamoto-dodgers-spring-training