Dodgers cut Stone, Reed, and Kolarek, which leaves 17 to go; add Thor & Trayce to those struggling, Japan wins WBC

As I beg online for Shohei Ohtani to come to the Dodgers in 2024 (or 2023 if you like), the Dodgers have made roster moves and somehow we’re supposed to all return to covering boring-ass Spring Training after basically getting playoff-level baseball for weeks.

That was the most ELECTRIC ending we could have dreamt of! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/s1WIImh3eq

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 22, 2023

What a tournament.

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Anyway, the latest round of cuts for the Dodgers was a small one of just three, re-assigning right-handed pitchers Gavin Stone and Jake Reed, as well as left-handed pitcher Adam Kolarek. Both Reed and Kolarek seem like candidates to spend time in the pen at some point in 2023, while it could be argued that Stone should start the year in the rotation given what he’s done as a prospect and his dominant showings this Spring.

Fifth-ranked @Dodgers prospect Gavin Stone was a K machine in his three innings of work: pic.twitter.com/ughdO64CSt

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 19, 2023

All three were non-roster invitees, which leaves 13 NRIs left in big league camp. Six members of the 40-man roster were previously optioned, which leaves 34 players there, for a total of 47 left in camp. Again though, that number is effectively 43 due to four players expected to start the year on the IL. They’ll be competing for the 26 spots on Opening Day, leaving 17 players left to axe.

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Speaking of players likely to start the year on the IL, Daniel Hudson‘s knee and ankle seems to be something of an increasing concern. Important considering the pen of the Dodgers is wide-open at the back-end of things, and he was elite last year.

Daniel Hudson said he’s still frustrated by pace of progress in recovery from knee surgery. Acknowledged that he won’t be ready to open season on #Dodgers active roster. Recovery time between throwing sessions is main issue.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 20, 2023

Meanwhile, things aren’t looking great from the Noah Syndergaard returning to elite levels perspective.

#Dodgers RHP Noah Syndergaard said a blister that has impacted him off and on for a few months and the soggy mound, which made it tough to find his footing, threw him a bit out of whack today. Conditions probably prevented him from bumping his velocity up from 92-94 mph.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) March 21, 2023

Also, for all the talk about the recent struggles of Jason Heyward and James Outman of late, Trayce Thompson has been quietly brutal this Spring as he competes for the center field job. He has a .083/.267/.125/.392 line so far.

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There have been some quietly impressive arms showing out of late as well, with Jake Pilarski being a name to watch if he can ever throw strikes consistently. He was humming 101 mph despite being plucked out of the indy leagues, averaging 99 mph with a nasty 90 mph slider.

Check out the velo & the depth on the cutter from Jake Pilarski. If you haven't ever heard of him, join the club, he's been in Indy ball for the last couple of years. @JacobPilarski struck out the side and his last of the inning was 101 MPH. Wow! Can't wait to see more! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/sntSvsZWJZ

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 21, 2023

Of course, in 29.1 innings last year, he had 23 walks, so you can guess the reason he was available. Still, the arm is huge.

Speaking of huge arms, Juan Morillo is 24 and has barely pitched at all since 2019 (1.2 innings in 2021), but he was on the bump yesterday throwing 99 mph with an 85 mph curve. That’s pitching now.

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Regarding the World Baseball Classic, the Japan/Mexico semi-final was probably the best baseball game we’re gonna get all year.

And obviously the USA/Japan final was nothing to sneeze at either.

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Uh, onto the Opening Day countdown, I guess.