Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
We’re back! Kinda. Jared is taking a leave of absence from the podcast (don’t worry, he’s OK). So, for the time being, you’ll be getting a healthy dose of me (sorry) and my Dodgers Digest co-writer Allan Yamashige. Welcome, Allan!
First up is the status of Clayton Kershaw. He’s not likely for Opening Day, but the Dodgers should be OK. We both agree that Rich Hill should get the OD start.
Corey Seager is going to be ready for OD, despite not having played one Cactus League game. He’s been playing on the back fields, but Dave Roberts said Seager will “definitely” be ready. Pencil him into the No. 2 spot in the lineup.
Austin Barnes is having a hell of a spring, so much so that he might be back. Yes, spring training stats don’t mean much, but Barnes’ elbow injury last season may have been a bigger deal than anyone knew. If he can be something between 2017 and 2018 Barnes, then the Dodgers aren’t likely to miss Yasmani Grandal (or J.T. Realmuto) too much.
Julio Urias has been another standout performer this spring. He is eyeing a spot on the Opening Day roster, but it might be out of the bullpen. And Roberts seems OK with that and using him in back-to-back days, which we’re not a fan of.
Alex Verdugo is, reportedly, going to make the OD roster. His role is to be determined, but he won’t be the outright starter in left field. Andrew Toles is on the restricted list (here’s hoping things work out for him). That opened a 40-man roster spot, which could be used for a non-roster invitee (Brad Miller?) to make the OD roster.
We run through what our OD bullpens might look like. They’re pretty similar.
On the farm, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin have been incredibly impressive this spring. Both could see the majors at some point, but I’d put more money on Gonsolin being that guy rather than May. Either way, these are, easily, the Dodgers’ two best pitching prospects.
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Look for new episodes of Dugout Blues every Monday (or every other Monday during the offseason). Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we’re always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.
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