A Sneak Peek at the Dodgers’ Opening Day Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers Re-sign Kiké Hernández Ahead of Spring Training
The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially re-signed outfielder Kiké Hernández to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. This announcement brings relief to fans as the team prepares for its first spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, with Opening Day set for March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In addition to the Hernández signing, the Dodgers have made several noteworthy roster decisions. They have re-signed pitcher Evan Phillips to a one-year contract worth $6.5 million. Since being acquired off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays at the end of the 2021 season, Phillips has achieved a 2.22 ERA and recorded 45 saves over 201 games. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery last season and is not expected to return until the All-Star break.
In a related roster move, the Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment to accommodate Phillips but faced a setback when the New York Mets claimed Rortvedt, placing him in competition for a backup position.
Phillips’s placement on the 60-day injured list opens a roster spot for Hernández, who is also expected to start the season on the 60-day IL due to elbow surgery.
Adding to the team’s depth, the Dodgers traded Anthony Banda, who was designated for assignment earlier, to the Minnesota Twins for $500,000 in international bonus pool space. Furthermore, they extended Max Muncy’s contract, which now includes $7 million for the 2027 season and a $10 million team option for 2028. Muncy has expressed his desire to remain with the organization for the duration of his career.
Muncy, along with catcher Will Smith—who recently signed a decade-long, $140 million contract—has highlighted the culture of loyalty within the organization. “Part of me and who I am as a person… I like to be loyal to people,” Muncy stated. He acknowledged the opportunity to win with the Dodgers as a significant factor in his decision to leave money on the table for the sake of continuity.
As the Dodgers’ spring training unfolds, they will feature a mix of players in their 40-man roster, including pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and new addition Shohei Ohtani, who serves as both a pitcher and designated hitter. The team is expected to employ a six-man rotation initially.
Though speculations about the lineup continue, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains optimistic, recently noting that this roster is the strongest he has had. Yet, as history suggests, there are expectations for wins to soar, alongside potential injuries that could impact the pitching staff.
As the season approaches, Dodgers fans will be closely watching how these roster decisions play out on the field.
