Dodgers Notes: Mookie determined to stick at SS, rotation plans, Kershaw’s terms, a trio of NRI signings, a quintet of injury updates

(Via @Dodgers)

Hello and welcome to a Spring Training news update for the Dodgers before the games start.

The vibes at Camelback Ranch continue to be great.

And the clubhouse seems ready for the repeat attempt behind speeches from Dave Roberts, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Max Muncy.

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Mookie is in complete “nobody believed in us” mode when it comes to proving he can play short.

“I’m really excited to prove everybody wrong. All the people that doubt me, they’ll see.”

Really happy about that, as these elite guys finding chips on their shoulders usually works out for the team.

In the off-season, he worked with Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Woodward, with Dave Roberts saying he’s “two grades better”.

“I couldn’t believe the strides that he made,” Tulowitzki said. “I say to do something, and it’s pretty much done in a day or two. And then once he went home, he would send me video back, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s it, man.’ Talk about a pretty easy guy to work with. He’s special.”

I mean, sure, let’s see.

The six-man rotation is indeed coming this season, but Andrew Friedman says it won’t be implemented until Shohei Ohtani is back in the rotation.

I don’t actually think this should be that much of an adjustment because the Dodgers have always tried to get their starters an extra day or two of rest as it was.

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In contract news, the details of Clayton Kershaw‘s signing are now out, and he’ll return on $7.5 million with incentives that could take it up to $16 million.

That’s actually quite a lot for like a half season of a guy whose performance quality is now in question for the first time since his rookie year, but also … well, it’s Clayton Kershaw.

In transaction news, a couple of NRIs were added in the form of infielder Michael Chavis, right-handed reliever Luis Garcia, and outfielder/former nemesis Eddie Rosario, who all seem like emergency depth options.

That makes 69 players in big-league camp. Lots of cuts are gonna come in a hurry.

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Fortunately, there’s only been one surprising injury update.

Ohtani, Evan Phillips, and Michael Kopech being behind schedule was expected, and Kershaw and Graterol missing a bunch of time to start was as well (at least Brusdar is in good spirits).

Every day that passes without a new injury or setback is a great one for this team. Health is basically all they need.

That said, Will Smith seems like he needs some time.

The injury dates back to last year.

Will Smith isn’t expected to be in the Dodgers’ early Cactus League action due to an ankle issue that has nagged at him dating to last season. Smith said the issue only impacts him running and he hasn’t started a progression there just yet. But a sign of how minimal the issue is expected to be: Smith still caught Sasaki’s bullpen on Friday and took live batting practice off of Yamamoto and Knack.

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Ready for the season to start, honestly.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto tomorrow.

About Chad Moriyama

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"A highly rational Internet troll." - Los Angeles Times