LOS ANGELES -- It's that time again.
The Dodgers are ready to pick up where they left off in Japan, where they began their title defense with a pair of wins over the Cubs in the Tokyo Series. After a quick trio of exhibition games back in Southern California, Los Angeles' eyes are on the prize once more.
Here's the Dodgers' finalized 26-man roster ahead of domestic Opening Day, which only adds the starting trio of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Dustin May in place of the three players who were optioned after the Tokyo finale:
Catcher (2): Will Smith, Austin Barnes
The Dodgers are running back this duo behind the plate. Smith got off to a nice start in Tokyo by going 2-for-4 with a double and five walks.
First baseman (1): Freddie Freeman
Freeman missed both Tokyo Series games with left rib discomfort in the same area that he was hurt during last postseason. He and the Dodgers believe that the latest flare-up was likely the scar tissue from the previous injury, not a setback.
Second baseman (1): Tommy Edman
Hyeseong Kim appeared to have a good shot at seizing the job at second base, which was unsettled after the Dodgers traded Gavin Lux to the Reds in the offseason, but the team opted to have him begin the season in the Minors so he can continue making swing adjustments. Edman returns to the position where he won a Gold Glove Award in 2021, though he's still an option in center field when needed.
Shortstop (1): Mookie Betts
Betts missed the Tokyo Series games with an undiagnosed stomach illness that caused him to lose more than 15 pounds in the span of about two weeks. After being able to keep down solid food and playing in the Freeway Series finale, Betts believes he's making strides to be in a good spot for the regular season as he continues to rebuild weight and strength.
Third baseman (1): Max Muncy
Muncy missed more than three months with a right oblique strain in 2024, but he finished the championship run healthy and should once again be the regular at the hot corner. Muncy has started on Opening Day in seven consecutive seasons (2019-21 at first base, ’22-25 at third), the longest streak among active Dodgers.
Outfielders (3): Michael Conforto, Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages
Pages showed promise in his rookie season, especially against left-handers, and has earned a longer look in 2025. He profiles better in a corner, where he could spell Conforto in left or Hernández in right. But with Edman at second base, Pages should see the majority of his time in center field.
Bench/Utility (3): Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor
Hernández and Taylor are both right-handed super-utility options capable of playing both the infield and outfield. Rojas can back up Betts at shortstop and slot in elsewhere around the infield as needed.
Two-way player (1): Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani's two-way player status means that he won't count toward the Dodgers' 13-pitcher allotment, allowing the team to use a six-man rotation without being an arm short in the bullpen when he returns to the mound. The reigning NL MVP, who also had left shoulder surgery in November, was ready for Opening Day as a hitter and is continuing his ramp-up as a pitcher.
Starting Pitchers (5): Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Dustin May
The question of who would win the Dodgers' final rotation spot was resolved on the final day of spring, when manager Dave Roberts revealed that May would get the nod and Tony Gonsolin would begin the season on the IL after injuring his back while lifting weights. Because of their abundance of April off-days, the Dodgers are expected to use a five-man rotation until Ohtani is ready to return to a big league mound.
Relief Pitchers (8): Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, Jack Dreyer, Luis Garcia, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Kirby Yates
With Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech opening the campaign on the IL, the 'pen is down a couple of seasoned high-leverage arms -- but it looks formidable nonetheless. Roberts has not named Scott the closer as he keeps his ninth-inning options open, but the lefty, who joined L.A. on a four-year, $72 million deal, is regardless expected to get the ball for the majority of save opportunities.