By design, Bobby Miller has not pitched in a Major League Spring Training Game, and I do not think he has played in any minor league or B-Games either, as he allegedly had a “sore shoulder” when he arrived at Spring Training. Allegedly, it is OK now, but the Dodgers are ramping him up slowly. It seems unlikely that he will pitch in the Freeway Series as he did last year.
Of course, Tony Gonsolin is recovering from a sprained ankle, and the Dodgers are not rushing him either, and he will likely not pitch for the first couple of weeks of the season. The Good News is that his arm is fine, but they could hold him out longer just so that he can be stronger at the end of the season. Gavin Stone has only pitched 3.2 innings and has allowed 2 hits and 2 BB and Zero runs. He has struck out 6. When Gonsolin comes back, he will take the place of whoever is taking his place at the start of the season… most likely Ryan Pepiot, who has looked much better than last year after he smoothed out his mechanics.
So, as it stands today, this will be the Dodger’s Rotation to start the season:
- Urias
- May
- Kershaw
- Syndergaard
- Pepiot
At AAA, OKC, after Gonsolin comes back, this will likely be the rotation:
- Miller
- Stone
- Pepiot
- Grove
- Jackson
Righthanders all, but a spectacular rotation. I personally believe that Andre Jackson is best suited for the bullpen, but that will shake out soon enough. The pitcher who has impressed the most in Spring Training is unsurprising, Gavin Stone. He has one of the filthiest changeups I have ever seen! I think the plan is to have him burst upon the scene when Clayton goes on the DL this first time. I think this is the year that Dustin May takes another step forward and tries to take the Ace Role for the Dodgers. Unless Julio Urias wants to remain a Dodger, someone will pay him more after this season than the Dodgers will.
The Dodgers could be an all-righthanded rotation in 2024, with Urias and Kershaw both possibly leaving. Look for Friedman to acquire a couple of lefty prospects this season, as the rotation prospects are all RHP. The only LH Pitchers in the Top 30 are Ronan Kopp (who I also see as a reliever) and Maddux Bruns, who is likely 2 or 3 years away. The fact that lefties are so scarce could force Friedman to spend more than he planned to sign Urias, but Julio is likely looking at a $300 Million Payday.
So, enough about the starters, who are Urias, Kershaw, May, Thor, and Pepiot, what will the bullpen look like? Here’s who I think are locks:
- Alex Vesia – LH (he is one of at least two lefties)
- Caleb Ferguson – LH (he will assume an important role)
- Evan Phillips – RH (as solid as they come)
- Shelby Miller – RH (he is getting better and is on the team)
- Jimmy Nelson – RH (as long as he is healthy, he makes it)
- Phil Bickford – RH (he is looking like he did in 2021 and has no options left)
- Bazooka – RH (he is looking to take a step forward as a pitcher and not a thrower)
- Jake Reed, Daniel Hudson, or Yency Almonte – RH (all three can’t make it)
That leaves Wander Suro, Justin Bruihl, Adam Kolarek, Victor Gonzalez, Rubby De La Rosa, Nick Robertson and several others spread around the minors. Of course, injuries will occur, and there will be a shuttle to and from OKC. It is rumored that the Dodgers are considering installing a “light rail.”
Dodger News & Notes
- Don’t look now, but the Dodgers have the best winning percentage in baseball this Spring at .706. Of course, they have three ties, but they are still the best, no matter how much some fans whine about needing to make trades.
- I don’t wish bad on anyone, but maybe Austin Barnes needs a little rest on the IL at the start of the season. I think he has a hangnail… I would love to see what Hunter Feduccia can do.
- There is soon going to be a roster crunch and what happens to some of the non-roster invitees. What are their opt-out dates, and will they accept going to OKC… or not?
- It’s only one game, but CT3 looked good. Sometimes a good game inspires confidence and that is a big part of hitting.
- It’s Dustin May’s turn today.
Mark: You forgot Graderol.
That I did. Let me fix it. I’ll take a Mulligan.
I was wondering how Jake Reed made it.
The Dodgers will likely lose Reed again.
He’s the Bazooka.
One of the Dodger vloggers asks every player he interviews, “Which player would you like on your side if you get into a bar fight?”
More than one answered, “Brusdar.”
Sure hope he keeps progressing. Overall, I like the Dodgers pitching…. though the starters seem a bit fragile. Who is a true workhorse?
In other news, the rumors around IKF are heating up. I don’t know if its him, but the need for a UT guy is obvious.
They won’t trade for IKF. He has no power at all. And he is making about 6 million, His OBP is nothing to write home about and his OPS + is under 100, Not an upgrade at all. And the rumors are not coming from the Dodgers or Yankees, They are not even talking.
Good piece.
I agree Grove is looking good. Let’s use him while he’s healthy.
Next year’s a long way away. Lux’s injury really made this year a challenge. I think we could struggle offensively at times.
I’ll be looking hard at Pages this season. He’s next man up in the OF.
David Peralta should be back with the team by tomorrow and should be good to go, as he hit .357 in the WBC with a .971 OPS. Plug him into LF against RHP. CT3 plays LF against LHP. So, the question is: Who plays CF? That is to be decided!
It’s just me but I think Heyward and Thompson get about a month and half to see how Heyward’s new swing plays out. With Outman going to OKC to play every day.
50 games at least and 100 at bats. By then they should show what they have.
You are probably right.
In my opinion Outman starts the season at Oklahoma City as the Dodgers play with his service time even though at this point deserves to make the Opening Day roster unless he tanks statistically in the next 11 days.
This is the most likely scenario. Dodgerrick pointed out yesterday the reflexive impulse Roberts and Dodgers have with putting veterans in the lineup. This isn’t totally unreasonable. Experience does matter, and giving someone like Muncy the time to work things out is usually the right strategy, but it also leads to giving a long runway to players like Gallo just so they can crash at the end of it. They might be giving Heyward a little too much benefit of the doubt. He just has a slow bat.
Mark. I’m surprised you have Almonte as only an option for the bullpen on opening day. I think he’s a lock. I read Hudson won’t be ready for opening day but will be back shortly.
I agree Pepiot will fill in for Gonsolin.
Almonte has only pitched two innings and has a 9.00 ERA.
As of today, he does not appear ready. That can change.
Actually, if Nelson, Hudson, and Almonte are not quite ready, Grove could make it.
I guess we have 2 opposite ways of looking at spring training.
Almonte was a big part of the bullpen last year and ended up with one of the best stats among everyone in the bullpen. Unless he has some sort of injury going on, his spring training stats mean NOTHING.
Maybe I missed the memo that he has a lingering injury going on.
I suspect there is something. The Dodgers are not very forthcoming with that kind of stuff.
4:05 PM ET vs Okakland at Glendale
SP S. Fujinami R
2-0 5.63 ERA 8.0IP 13K
SP Dustin May R
2-0 1.04 ERA 8.2IP 13K
Confirmed Lineup
DH James Outman L
1B F. Freeman L
LF J. Martinez R
3B Max Muncy L
CF T. Thompson R
SS Miguel Rojas R
2B M. Vargas R
RF S. Duggar L
C P. Mazeika L
Cloudy
0% Rain
65° Wind 12 mph R-L
IF (capital letters and I hope not) any starter goes down to season ending injury, look for Gavin Stone to step in. I think the Dodgers plan for Stone is to be a permanent starter, unlike Pepiot (yet). I think Pepiot will be the number 1 fill in guy for the starters, like I think he’s going to do for Gonsolin to start the season. I could be wrong though, because pitching staffs are complicated, but that’s my 2 cents.
Joe time:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR7WqbhU/
I am with Eric in Almonte. He looked ready yesterday. To the last batter he faced, he threw 4 very good sliders. He was all smiles in the dogout. In the interview with Kristen, he said the Dodgers told him to go easy with his elbow. Last year, when he injured, they bring him back very slowly and the result was that string of scoreless innings.
But whats really surprises me, is Mark even mentioning Jake Reed name. That’s really a reach and worrisome.
I know. Jake Reed is not going to be an option. An atomic bomb has to come down on Dodger stadium and wipe out most of the pitching staff for that to happen. It’s just a joke to anyone that takes things literally.
Of course, you are right. Andrew Friedman just keeps getting him back because he is waiting for an Atomic Bomb to drop and allow for Reed to Pitch. He has no chance and he didn’t last year either… but he did get a save.
He’s depth (deep depth) on a minor league contract and not going to be on the opening day roster.
Last I ck’d this is Jake’s fourth stint with Dodgers.
Jake Reed is out of options, which is why the Dodgers have lost him 3 times. AF and Mark Prior see something in him – they like pitchers who are different than the rest of the power arms.
https://twitter.com/AlexFast8/status/1627028687215554568?s=20
Weird relationship we have with him. Like going back to an old girlfriend before remembering why you broke up.
Jake Reed is not on the 40 man roster I thought he signed as a minor league free agent after the last time he was dfa’d. Alex Reyes is listed on the 40 man but not listed on the 60 day il.
So, they may not lose him again. I think his interest in the Dodgers is mutual – like Thor’s.
Altuve to have surgery on his broken thumb. Profar signs with the Rockies
Good interview with Rushing on MLB. He wants to be the best player in the league and he loves the org. I think he’s our best offensive prospect outside Cartaya/Vargas/Pages. The fact he plays C makes him potentially more valuable than Busch, though Busch has put up the numbers at AAA.
What’s the word on Peralta? Nice diving catch in WBC making the rounds. Dude looks way bigger than the 210# he’s listed at. He got the wheels still?
He has been an excellent fielder in the past, and I am sure his speed is declining, but he can play a solid LF and hit RHP. That is all they need him to do.
He’s a pure platoon guy. Halfway between a starter and a bench piece.
My problem is his defensive lack of versatility.
.
He can play LF fine, and CF is necessary.
Dodgers will be monitoring JDM’s splits. Peralta is a lefty option at DH. Whenever JDM sits, he can be a helluva pinch-hitter.
I wish JDM would be getting reps in LF. My sense is that Dodgers simply think he is DH-only because of his lack of speed and (perhaps) a damaged arm. If he could play LF just a little bit, then Will Smith could DH when Barnes catches. Will was a real weapon at DH, and I hope we don’t lose that.
If Outman starts at OKC, I think that sends a bad message to other young guys. Packaging Trayce in a deal for a UT guy makes more sense. Dodgers have too many outfielders.
He played left today. Dodgers do not have too many RH hitting options. One of the reasons Thompson is not going anywhere. Besides, he does not have much trade value.
What’s up with Jimmy Nelson? Is he working on a pitch or two or is he injured?
Takes a while to get your control back when you haven’t pitched much the last two years. Most likely he starts the year at OKC. Outman crashing here at the end of spring. 6 K’s in the last three days.
Does that include the two K’s that the umpire called on him that weren’t strikes or is that without those two K’s? I don’t remember.
Nelson is out of options.
You are right there. Yes it includes those two. So actually the last two games he has 4 k’s no hits and a walk. I am not really sure they can keep Nelson the way he is pitching. But since he signed an MLB deal, he will probably be on the team, but it has to be with a short leash. Stone struck out 8 in three impressive innings. Gave up nothing but a double. Rushing had a run scoring single.
That’s what I mean about defense. That play that Rojas made but still couldn’t get the out at first. What’s the difference having him vs someone that’s a little worse than him on defense, but with better hitting. The same result would’ve happened, a base hit.
If that play had been during the season, he was out. Replay showed that. And he is hitting well so far this spring. He is going to be on base and score some runs and he is going to keep them from scoring a lot too.
What you said it really not very smart, but then I remember that you are into fantasy baseball which has no value on defense and I understand!
BTW, if it was the regular season, he would have been out on the replay.
I am sorry, Eric – but I do not suffer fools very well.
Nelson cannot make the team out of ST. He needs more time to find his release point after not pitching for nearly two years. Safe to say the roster projections for opening day should not include him opening the possibility we see Jackson or maybe Stone on the 26 man roster. I know the Dodger brass want to keep them both stretched out but I definitely see a surprise addition to the BP
Nelson has no options and he is on a major league contract. He either makes it, or he gets released.
…..or a mysterious and unexpected injury occurs and he continues his work in extended ST
Yes, the IL is an option and would be a viable excuse with him coming back from being down two years. Arm fatigue is always a good one.
Damn I know it’s just spring training, but every out that Stone got except one was a strike out in three innings.
“Don’t look now, but the Dodgers have the best winning percentage in baseball this Spring at .706. Of course, they have three ties, but they are still the best“
So…. do you think they are ready?
Nope. Too many regulars do not look ready yet. Mookie, Smith and Freddie yes. Rojas too, he is playing well. The pitching has been decent. Stone looked like he belongs on the roster right now.
No, but that is a different question.
When will Stone be just too good not to be on the roster! Now?
They want to stretch him out as a starter. He is going to OKC, But I expect he will get the call sometime this season especially if one of the big 5 goes down.
I am OK with the Dodgers dealing Grove or Pepiot for a strong UT guy…. because it could quicken Stone’s arrival.
Stone seems to be ready. And his upside seems pretty high.
On many teams, he’d already be in the rotation.
If nothing else, he is guaranteed a spot in the 2024 rotation. This year we can use him as we see fit. Nice postseason weapon to have.
Dalton Rushing made his spring debut!
And here I thought he wasn’t even in camp. Anyway, I was happy to read that.
Meanwhile, Gavin Stone strikes out 8 in 3 innings….
Dave Roberts said a week ago he would get an opportunity… and he did.
They only have one camp, and Rushing has been there since the start. He just has not played so he was on the back fields.
By the end of the season Pepiot, Grove, Miller, Stone, Vargas, Outman & Busch should be graduated as prospects, leaving a possible top ten of:
Cartaya
Pages
Nastrini
Rushing
Sheehan
Ryan
Frasso
Ramos
Bruns
DePaula
Surprised no one has mentioned the WBC. TT with a grand slam last night and another HR tonight against Cuba.
Arruebarruena is a name from the Dodgers past. He’s the starting SS for Cuba.
I really do not care about the WBC at all, but that is just me. Actually, Turner ended up hitting two homers in the US’s win. Arenado got hit in the hand by a pitch and left the game. I personally prefer the players to be in camp. Especially the regulars. They are playing every other day instead of getting their work in. Now the US only has the championship game left. So Mookie and Smith will be back by the end of the week, just as the Dodgers get ready to head home. Peralta is already back, and if Mexico loses tomorrow, Urias will be back, which is probably the best thing for him because he has been hammered in his two games. Padres look to be pretty banged up heading into the season. Morejon is out, Soto has a strained quad. Musgrove will miss at least 2 starts, maybe more. Tatis will be out for the first 20 games.