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Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training: Roster Spots Up for Grabs as Opening Day Approaches<\/strong><\/p>\n By: [Your Name] | February 9, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n As pitchers and catchers<\/strong> prepare to report to spring training<\/strong>, the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong> enter a new season with one of the deepest rosters<\/strong> in team history. According to President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman<\/strong>, the roster is \u201cpretty much set.\u201d However, with only a few days left before the season officially kicks off, there are still some roster spots<\/strong> in question, and a few Dodgers could be at risk of losing their places on the 26-man roster<\/strong>. Let\u2019s break down the potential moves and players who could be on the bubble this spring.<\/p>\n One of the more surprising moves the Dodgers made recently was designating left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Banda<\/strong> for assignment. Banda, a fan favorite<\/strong>, posted a 3.18 ERA<\/strong> over 70 innings<\/strong> last season and was seen as a durable and reliable arm<\/strong> in the bullpen. So why was Banda cut?<\/p>\n The answer lies in the team\u2019s bullpen strategy.<\/strong> It\u2019s uncommon for teams to carry more than two left-handed relievers<\/strong> in the pen<\/strong>, and with Banda now out of options<\/strong>, the Dodgers\u2019 bullpen situation became clearer. Jack Dreyer<\/strong> and Tanner Scott<\/strong> (assuming he\u2019s healthy) are ahead of Banda in the bullpen pecking order. Both Dreyer and Scott are more effective against right-handed hitters<\/strong>, a crucial factor given the new rules that require relievers to face at least three batters before being pulled.<\/p>\n Banda\u2019s role as a lefty specialist<\/strong> became redundant in light of this, making him expendable. Expect the Dodgers to explore trade options<\/strong> with a team that might need a left-handed reliever<\/strong>. Banda\u2019s experience and ability to get outs could be valuable to another club looking for bullpen help.<\/p>\n In another roster shuffle, Ben Rortvedt<\/strong> was designated for assignment<\/strong> by the Cincinnati Reds<\/strong> and was quickly claimed by the Dodgers. The 25-year-old catcher had previously been with the Dodgers<\/strong> at the end of the 2025 season<\/strong> when Will Smith<\/strong> and Dalton Rushing<\/strong> were sidelined due to injuries.<\/p>\n Rortvedt proved to be reliable in handling pitchers during their absence, but with the Dodgers already carrying two established catchers<\/strong> in Smith and Rushing, there\u2019s no clear path to a regular role<\/strong> for Rortvedt. The Dodgers have a history<\/strong> of carrying just two catchers<\/strong> on the roster, so adding a third backstop might not be practical.<\/p>\n If the Dodgers sign super-utility player Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez<\/strong>, Rortvedt\u2019s spot on the roster could be in jeopardy, as three catchers<\/strong> are rarely carried at the big league level. Rortvedt\u2019s future<\/strong> with the Dodgers could be short-lived unless he finds a way to stand out in spring training or fill a valuable role as depth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Bobby Miller<\/strong>, once considered one of the top-rated pitching prospects<\/strong> in the Dodgers organization<\/strong>, has faced a series of setbacks that have hindered his progress. After showing promise in his early years, Miller\u2019s career took an unfortunate turn due to injuries. A shoulder injury<\/strong> followed by being struck in the head by a line drive during spring training in 2025<\/strong> derailed his development.<\/p>\n At this point, it seems unlikely that Miller will make the 26-man roster<\/strong> for the Dodgers in 2026<\/strong>. Given his injury history and lack of progress, it might be best for Miller to seek a fresh start<\/strong> in another organization where he can work through his issues and hopefully recapture the success he had earlier in his career. The Dodgers are known for developing pitchers, but Miller\u2019s future with the team<\/strong> may now depend on whether he can stay healthy and regain his form elsewhere.<\/p>\n Ryan Ward<\/strong>, a late-season addition to the Dodgers\u2019 roster<\/strong>, could find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to an Opening Day roster spot<\/strong>. Ward<\/strong>, the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Player of the Year<\/strong>, was tearing it up in the minors last season, finishing with a .300 batting average<\/strong> and over 30 home runs<\/strong>. Despite his impressive offensive numbers, his defense<\/strong> has always been a point of concern.<\/p>\n In particular, Ward\u2019s defensive limitations<\/strong> have been noted, and the Dodgers have questions about whether he can be effective at the major league level, especially as part of a team with a strong defensive foundation. His strong batting performance<\/strong> in the minors shows that his offensive potential<\/strong> is real, but Los Angeles\u2019 outfield<\/strong> and infield spots<\/strong> are increasingly crowded, especially with the signing of Kyle Tucker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Given that Ward has no options left<\/strong>, meaning he cannot be sent down to the minors without being exposed to waivers, the Dodgers will have to make a tough decision. If Ward\u2019s defense<\/strong> doesn\u2019t improve, he may become a trade candidate<\/strong> or waiver risk<\/strong>, especially with the Dodgers\u2019 high expectations<\/strong> for their roster and need for players who can contribute both offensively and defensively<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While there are certainly a few players who seem to be on the roster bubble<\/strong>, spring training<\/strong> is always full of surprises. There are other potential moves to be made, depending on how various players perform during the camp. With a deep roster<\/strong> and minimal position battles<\/strong>, the Dodgers have a lot of flexibility, but they also need to fine-tune their roster before Opening Day. Injuries<\/strong>, breakout performances<\/strong>, and contract decisions<\/strong> will all play a role in shaping the final composition of the Dodgers\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n The next few weeks will be crucial for players like Rortvedt<\/strong>, Banda<\/strong>, Miller<\/strong>, and Ward<\/strong>. Position battles<\/strong> and roster decisions<\/strong> will be made based on how these players perform in spring training, and those who don\u2019t secure a spot could be on their way out. As spring training<\/strong> progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Dodgers finalize their roster and whether any of these players can carve out a meaningful role for themselves.<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong> are in a strong position as spring training<\/strong> nears, with one of the deepest rosters in baseball<\/strong>. However, with limited space for certain players and a few spots up for grabs, spring training<\/strong> will be a crucial time to sort through potential roster moves<\/strong> and tighten up the final lineup<\/strong>. Players like Ben Rortvedt<\/strong>, Anthony Banda<\/strong>, Bobby Miller<\/strong>, and Ryan Ward<\/strong> will be hoping to make a strong impression, as<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training: Roster Spots Up for Grabs as Opening Day Approaches By: [Your Name] | February 9, 2026 As pitchers and catchers prepare to… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":151202,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nLimited Space for Left-Handed Relief Options<\/h3>\n
Three Catchers? The Situation with Ben Rortvedt<\/h3>\n
Bobby Miller\u2019s Setback: A Fresh Start Needed?<\/h3>\n
Ryan Ward: The PCL Player of the Year on the Hot Seat<\/h3>\n
Other Potential Roster Moves: Who Else Is At Risk?<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nConclusion: Dodgers’ Depth Will Be Tested<\/h3>\n