Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The exhibition games in Korea have just been completed, with the Dodgers prevailing over the Kiwoom Heroes by a score of 14-3 yesterday and then over Korean National Team today by a 5-2 line. Now the next game will be against the Padres and it’ll count for real.
There’s still some cleaning up to do in news before then, however.
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Following an absolutely dominant showing tonight, Gavin Stone said Dave Roberts informed him he’d be the fifth starter to open the season.
Gavin Stone said Dave Roberts officially informed him today he will break camp as the Dodgers’ fifth starter.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 18, 2024
Stone has certainly earned every bit of that, as he’s allowed just one run in 13 innings this Spring, striking out 17 and walking just two. Today he capped that run off by striking out eight in just 3.1 innings. Velocity has been up, command has been sharp, and this is definitely his time to seize his place on the team.
While fans in Korea didn’t get to see Shohei Ohtani do much yet, Kyle Hurt was particularly impressive in his outing and is making a strong push for the roster.
Kyle Hurt strikes out five, retires all seven batters he faces. pic.twitter.com/DqF2MqxszM
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) March 17, 2024
Mostly though, it was just fun being in a different country with a different baseball culture.
Bedroom streaming setup of some Twitch guy with like 10 viewers. pic.twitter.com/NByMacpbLD
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) March 17, 2024
They should release this stuff as cardio workouts that they used to on VHS. pic.twitter.com/sBqdZ70PkJ https://t.co/8LtEfw9EuX
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) March 18, 2024
Enrique Hernandez 100% wants to join the cheerleaders. pic.twitter.com/pR7jvnhrVw
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) March 18, 2024
The most important result today is the beer chug competition. pic.twitter.com/QWAPxk0qXY
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) March 18, 2024
Off the field content has been cooking as well.
Trying Korean snacks with the guys ahead of the Seoul Series. ? pic.twitter.com/4rAf6rfzdq
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 11, 2024
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Back to more serious stuff, there were other roster moves.
Pitcher Justin Wilson opted out of his contract and became a free agent, while outfielder Miguel Vargas was optioned. Additionally, infielder Andre Lipcius was designated for assignment in order to clear room on the 40-man roster for the addition of pitcher Daniel Hudson.
That technically leaves 38 players left in camp and 12 cuts to make. However, as has been pointed out to me, included in those 38 are Walker Buehler and Emmet Sheehan, who the Dodgers already announced will start the year on the IL. Thus, there are effectively 36 players left in camp and 10 cuts to make.
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The Dodgers also once again renewed the contract of outfielder Andrew Toles, who hasn’t played since 2018. Back in 2019, he was placed on the restricted list due to mental health issues, and despite his baseball career being over, the Dodgers continue to renew his contract every year so he can maintain his health insurance. Any time his name comes up, I’m always just wishing the best for him.
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Bring on the season, honestly.
