GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers came into this spring with a solid idea of how their roster might look to kick off their three-peat bid, but the statuses of a few key players were up in the air. Now, with just over two weeks until Opening Day, there is more clarity.
Pitchers Blake Snell and Gavin Stone and utility man Tommy Edman are among the Dodgers who are set to begin the year on the injured list, so the team will put its depth to the test early. Here's an updated 26-man roster projection:
Catchers (2): Will Smith, Dalton Rushing
With Rushing backing him up about two days a week last year, Smith put together the best offensive season of his big league career. This year should bring a similar timeshare behind the dish, although the Dodgers may look for ways to get Rushing, their former top prospect, more playing time in order to unlock his bat.
First baseman (1): Freddie Freeman
While first base is one spot where Rushing could get more opportunities, Freeman tends to have the same goal every season: Play 162 games. Freeman has been a pillar of consistency in his four years as a Dodger, and the team expects nothing less from him in his age-36 season.
Second baseman (1): Hyeseong Kim
This has been the Dodgers' primary position battle with Edman out. Miguel Rojas is a top candidate to see time at second, and it would also make sense to have a left-handed bat in the mix. We'll give Kim the nod for now, but while he's away for the World Baseball Classic, switch-hitting No. 8 prospect Alex Freeland has gotten a long look.
Shortstop (1): Mookie Betts
All of Betts' hard work in the previous offseason paid off when he was a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop in his first full season at the position. Now the question is whether he can get his bat back on track after a down year at the plate.
Third baseman (1): Max Muncy
Though there were times last year when Muncy's defense was called into question, his presence in the Dodgers' lineup was irreplaceable. That was apparent when the team's offense scuffled when Muncy had to miss a large chunk of the year due to a bone bruise in his left knee and a strained right oblique.
Utility/bench (2): Miguel Rojas, Santiago Espinal
Rojas figures to play all around the infield in his final season before retirement. Espinal was signed to a Minor League deal at the beginning of Spring Training and wasted no time making a good impression, with manager Dave Roberts saying it's "hard to imagine" him not making the Opening Day roster. Espinal is primarily an infielder, but he has some experience at the corner-outfield spots.
Outfielders (4): Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, Alex Call
The Dodgers addressed one of last year's weaknesses -- the outfield -- by going out and getting Tucker, the consensus top free agent. Their main question at this position group is who can back up Pages in center field, where the depth is lacking without Edman. Call has some experience in center, and Kim spent time working on his defense there this past offseason.
Two-way player (1): Shohei Ohtani
The four-time unanimous MVP will reprise his role as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter. After returning to pitching last June, Ohtani should begin this season as a member of the rotation as well. Because he has two-way status, he does not count toward the team's 13-pitcher roster limit.
Starting pitchers (4): Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki
Given their early off-days and the fact that Ohtani may only be built up for two or three innings to start the season, the Dodgers could choose to carry five starters with length options in the bullpen. Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and even No. 6 prospect River Ryan could all potentially fill a swingman role. Once Snell and/or Stone return from the IL, the Dodgers may be more likely to shift to a six-man rotation.
Relief pitchers (9): Edwin Díaz (closer), Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Jack Dreyer, Justin Wrobleski, Will Klein, Ben Casparius, Edgardo Henriquez
The Dodgers are counting on Díaz to lock down the ninth inning and Scott and Treinen to rebound from a tough 2025 season. A trio of righties will begin the season on the IL -- Brock Stewart, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol -- creating an opportunity for relievers such as Klein, Casparius, Henriquez and Kyle Hurt.