DODGERS FINALIZE ROSTER AS SEASON OPENS: PITCHING STAFF SET, SECOND BASE SPOT STILL UP FOR GRABS

🚨BREAKING NEWS: As the 2026 MLB season approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster is nearly complete, with only a few remaining questions to be answered before Opening Day. The team has settled on its 13-man pitching staff, including newcomers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Shohei Ohtani, alongside a revamped bullpen with Edwin Diaz now as the closer. However, a couple of spots are still in flux as manager Dave Roberts decides who will occupy the final rotation spot and fill the second base platoon role.

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Pitching Staff: A Solid Rotation with One Last Question

With the Dodgers’ camp winding down, the rotation is almost set in stone. Yamamoto, Glasnow, Sasaki, and Ohtani will be the primary starters, with Blake Snell and Gavin Stone currently on the injured list. The bullpen, meanwhile, will feature a mix of veterans and promising arms, including new closer Edwin Diaz and relievers like Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer, Tanner Scott, and Ben Casparius.

The only remaining question is who will occupy the fifth starter role. Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski are both competing for the spot, with neither securing the position outright yet. Sheehan, who was considered the frontrunner coming into camp, will start the Cactus League finale against the Chicago White Sox. His spring has been inconsistent, with only two starts, allowing three runs on five hits, four walks, and a hit batter in six innings. Sheehan’s velocity has been down, something that Dodgers coaches believe is due to mechanical issues, but Roberts remains optimistic.

“Sheehan’s shown enough for us last year, and even though this spring hasn’t been perfect, he’s earned the opportunity to start,” said Roberts. “At the end of the day, he’s got to go out there and pitch well. We believe in him, but he has to perform.”

Given that the Dodgers have four off-days in the first three weeks of the season, they can operate with a five-man rotation for now, with a sixth starter likely not needed until their series against the New York Mets on April 13-15. Until then, Sheehan or Wrobleski will have an opportunity to showcase their abilities in a piggyback role, allowing the team to keep them stretched out without committing to a full-time starter.

Second Base Battle: Kim vs. Freeland

The one remaining undecided roster spot is the left-handed hitting portion of the second base platoon. Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland have been competing for the role, but neither has seized the opportunity this spring. Kim started strong with six hits in his first 13 Cactus League at-bats but then went 1 for 12 while playing for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Since his return to the Dodgers, Kim has gone 3 for 8.

Freeland, on the other hand, has struggled mightily with the bat, posting a dismal 4-for-37 (.108) line this spring. Despite this, Roberts has been reluctant to make a final decision, acknowledging that both players have shown flashes of potential but neither has fully convinced the team.

“It’s one of those things you could argue both sides of, whether it’s Alex or Hyeseong,” Roberts said. “We haven’t seen Hyeseong a bunch, and while Alex’s numbers don’t stand out, his at-bats have been solid. We’ll have deeper conversations, but it’s still a work in progress.”

Minor Move: Dodgers Sign Logan Allen to Minor-League Contract

In other news, the Dodgers made a minor move by signing former major league left-hander Logan Allen to a minor-league contract. Allen, 28, has pitched for four different teams across five major-league seasons, with his most recent stint being with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, where he appeared in 12 games.

After spending the 2025 season in South Korea, Allen returned to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, where he impressed by allowing only one run in 3⅓ innings. This performance earned him a contract offer from the Dodgers, who are looking to add depth to their pitching staff. While Allen’s role is likely to be in the minors, this move could provide additional options should the Dodgers face injuries or need reinforcements during the season.

Conclusion: Dodgers Finalizing Roster with Key Decisions Pending

As the season opener draws near, the Dodgers have largely finalized their roster, with only a couple of critical decisions left to make. The pitching staff is set, with a rotation anchored by stars like Yamamoto, Glasnow, Sasaki, and Ohtani, while the bullpen gains depth with Diaz taking over as closer. However, the competition for the fifth starter role and the second base platoon spot will remain a focal point in the coming days.

With the team poised for another playoff push, these final roster decisions will be crucial in shaping the Dodgers’ success in 2026. Keep an eye on how Sheehan, Wrobleski, Kim, and Freeland perform in the final days of camp, as they could play significant roles in the team’s journey to the postseason.

Stay tuned to ESPN for updates on the Dodgers as they finalize their roster for the 2026 season and prepare for Opening Day!