With only two weekends remaining in Spring Training in Arizona, the Los Angeles Dodgers continued to trim their Major League roster by optioning twelve players to Minor League camp following Sunday’s loss to the Oakland Athletics, a move that reflects the team’s focus on solidifying its 2026 Opening Day roster.

Among the players sent down were pitchers Ryan Ward and Ronan Kopp, who were optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, while position players Josue De Paula, Carlos Duran, Jackson Ferris, Kendall George, Carson Hobbs, Griffin Lockwood-Powell, Garrett McDaniels, Wyatt Mills, Jordan Weems, and Lucas Wepf were reassigned to the Minor League portion of Spring Training, continuing the Dodgers’ ongoing evaluation process.

Despite being removed from the Major League clubhouse at Camelback Ranch, each of these players remains eligible to appear in Spring Training games, allowing them to continue competing, gaining experience, and showcasing their skills to coaches, scouts, and front-office personnel while remaining part of the organization’s broader developmental pipeline.

After the latest round of roster cuts, the Dodgers now have 53 players remaining in big league camp, including 27 pitchers and 26 position players, not counting Evan Phillips or Kiké Hernández, both of whom are on the 60-day injured list and unavailable for evaluation or competition during the remaining weeks of camp.

Among the top prospects sent down, Josue De Paula has made a notable impression in Cactus League play, posting a slash line of .375/.464/.417 with one double, three RBIs, and four walks across 14 games, demonstrating the potential that made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in the organization.

De Paula is expected to start the 2026 season with Double-A Tulsa, where he briefly played four games last season, giving him an opportunity to continue his development, refine his approach at the plate, and adjust to higher levels of competition before another potential Major League call-up.

Carlos Duran, another prospect optioned to Minor League camp, appeared in only three games during Spring Training, recording two scoreless outings, but the limited appearances were insufficient to secure a place in the final Major League roster, and he will continue to work on consistency and command at the lower levels.

Jackson Ferris, who had been considered an outside candidate for the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation following Gavin Stone’s shutdown, will now begin the season in the Minor Leagues, having thrown 2.2 scoreless innings across two starts before being scratched due to an adductor issue and completing a bullpen session the following day.

Kendall George contributed with just one hit and three walks in 19 plate appearances over 12 games, while also adding three stolen bases, showing flashes of speed and athleticism, though the limited offensive production prevented him from remaining in the Major League camp for the start of the season.

Carson Hobbs struggled over five appearances, allowing multiple runs in three outings, including the latest against the Athletics, and will use the Minor League assignment as an opportunity to work on control, pitch sequencing, and consistency to increase his chances for a future call-up.

Ronan Kopp, a tall southpaw previously added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, allowed only two unearned runs in five innings over five appearances and remains a potential candidate to join the Dodgers’ bullpen during the 2026 season once he refines his approach and builds endurance at the Major League level.

Griffin Lockwood-Powell appeared in nine games off the bench during Spring Training and outlasted Chuckie Robinson in camp evaluations, earning the opportunity to continue development at the Minor League level while learning to adapt to professional-level pitching and situational hitting strategies.

Garrett McDaniels pitched a total of 3.2 innings across four appearances, allowing multiple runs in two games, and will focus on improving command, pitch location, and in-game adjustments as he continues his progression in the Minor League system.

Wyatt Mills, a right-handed pitcher with prior Major League experience with the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals, allowed only one run in four appearances despite taking the loss against the Chicago Cubs on February 28, and he will now continue refining his pitches and timing at the lower level.

Ryan Ward, another pitcher added to the 40-man roster last year for Rule 5 protection, faces an uncertain future with the Dodgers due to new arrivals like Jack Suwinski, the retention of Alex Call, and the strong Spring Training performances of James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, which may limit opportunities at the Major League level this season.

Jordan Weems, an experienced relief pitcher, struggled in limited action, posting an 0-2 record while allowing eight runs over four innings pitched across five appearances, highlighting the challenges of maintaining consistency and command in competitive Major League camps and underscoring the need for additional development time.

Lucas Wepf, a Canadian prospect, threw 1.1 scoreless innings in two games, displaying promise and poise under Spring Training conditions, though he will continue his professional development at the Minor League level to gain more innings, experience, and exposure to game situations at a high competitive level.

The Dodgers’ latest roster cuts reflect the organization’s ongoing strategy to evaluate talent, manage the development pipeline, and balance Major League readiness with opportunities for prospects to gain meaningful experience, ensuring long-term depth and competitive balance for the 2026 season.

As the Dodgers approach the final two weekends of camp in Arizona, these roster decisions underscore the importance of refining the Opening Day roster while providing prospects the chance to continue learning, improving, and demonstrating readiness for future Major League opportunities.

While these players have been optioned to Minor League camp, their continued participation in Spring Training games allows coaches to monitor performance, make adjustments, and provide feedback, ensuring each athlete remains on a development trajectory aligned with the organization’s long-term objectives and goals.