LOS ANGELES -- After an 8-1 loss to the Mariners on Wednesday, the Dodgers wrapped up their Cactus League slate. Now the Dodgers are in Seoul, South Korea, to get their season started in the Seoul Series against the Padres next Wednesday and Thursday.
Both games against San Diego start at 6:05 a.m. ET/3:05 a.m. PT.
It was an impressive spring for the Dodgers, as they racked up a 13-5 record with a plus-49 run differential. But one of the Dodgers’ most anticipated seasons in franchise history will ultimately be judged by what they do this October.
Before that, however, the Dodgers announced the 31-man roster for their trip to South Korea. All 31 players will be allowed to play in the two exhibition games against Team Korea and the Kiwoom Heroes, but the Dodgers will have to cut it down to 26 for the two games against the Padres.
Here’s the full traveling roster:
Catchers (3): Austin Barnes, Hunter Feduccia, Will Smith
Infielders (6): Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Kiké Hernández, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
Outfielders (5): Teoscar Hernández, Jason Heyward, James Outman, Chris Taylor, Miguel Vargas
Designated Hitter (1): Shohei Ohtani
Starters (7): Tyler Glasnow, Michael Grove, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Relievers (9): Ryan Brasier, J.P. Feyereisen, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Gus Varland, Alex Vesia, Ryan Yarbrough
1. Ready to go
There wasn’t significant doubt, but there was a possibility that players like Muncy, Lux and Treinen wouldn’t be able to go for the Opening Series. Muncy and Lux have spent the last few days battling the flu, but they are feeling better. As for Treinen, the right-hander needed to prove he was healthy in a bullpen session Wednesday after getting hit by a comebacker on Saturday.
Smith was scratched from Wednesday’s Cactus League finale with low back tightness, but there’s no concern there and he will play in South Korea, according to manager Dave Roberts.
2. Rotation race becoming clear
With Walker Buehler and Emmet Sheehan starting the season on the injured list, the Dodgers have an open competition for the fifth spot in the rotation. Of the group, Grove and Stone have stood out, becoming the likeliest options. Both right-handers had a strong spring and will get more chances to prove they’re the right pick during the two exhibition games in Seoul. Hurt, Yarbrough and Knack are also options, but Hurt and Knack could benefit from more seasoning in the Minors, while Yarbrough gives the Dodgers a valuable multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
3. Why are they not on the roster?
Brusdar Graterol and James Paxton are the two glaring omissions on the roster for South Korea. Graterol will be placed on the injured list as he continues to work through hip and right shoulder discomfort. He was limited to just one Cactus League outing this spring, but the Dodgers believe he won’t be sidelined long.
As for Paxton, his omission was always part of the plan. Paxton is fully healthy, but he wasn’t going to pitch in either exhibition game and wouldn’t be used out of the bullpen for the two regular-season games. Therefore, the Dodgers decided to keep him back in Arizona to stretch him out, opening another spot for a reliever.