LOS ANGELES -- With the Dodgers going to Washington, D.C., next week to take on the Nationals, the team is “hopeful” that it will be able to visit the White House, a tradition for teams after winning the World Series.

“I’ve heard rumblings that it’s going to happen,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “We’re pretty hopeful that it will happen.”

If the Dodgers are ultimately cleared to visit the White House, it’s increasingly likely that the team will make the trip on Thursday. The Dodgers have an off-day on Wednesday, which they will use as a travel day after playing a 7 p.m. PT game on Tuesday against the Giants.

Once cleared, the Dodgers will then have to figure out just how many people will be allowed to visit, given health and safety protocols at the White House. They would be the first professional sports team to visit the White House since the beginning of the pandemic.

“It has been very difficult [to plan],” Roberts said. “Obviously, correspondence with the White House, they’ve got a lot of important things going on, so the Dodgers have done a great job trying to figure it out for the players, the staff and coaches. We still don’t have complete finality, but I know that I’m personally excited if the opportunity presents itself. I think our coaches and players are as well.”

Roberts said he’s looking forward to meeting President Joe Biden, but is especially excited to meet Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman VP in U.S. history.

“I’d love to meet her,” Roberts said. “But it’s an honor, something that any champion gets that opportunity -- or most champions that win world championships get the opportunity, so it’s something that I’ve always dreamt about.”

Down in the Minors

Top pitching prospect Josiah Gray suffered a right shoulder impingement on May 12 and has been sidelined ever since. Gray was initially supposed to be shut down from throwing for seven to 10 days, but that process has taken a lot longer.

However, Friday was a positive day for the right-hander, as he threw his first live batting practice since sustaining the injury. Gray, who has been limited to just one appearance this season, could give the Dodgers some much-needed starting pitching depth if he’s able to get healthy.

Earlier this season, Gray would’ve been in the conversation for a couple of spot starts, but the injury didn’t allow the Dodgers to go through with that plan. It’s still unclear how close Gray is to returning to games at Triple-A.

The day after

The Dodgers were no-hit for the first time in nearly six years on Thursday by the Cubs, and the club is looking forward to moving past that on Friday. Roberts said that the vibe in the home clubhouse was “quiet and focused” before Friday's game.

“I don’t think any of us enjoyed that last night,” catcher Will Smith said. “After every loss, you come back the next day and you’re hungry for a win. That’s where we’re at today.”