Max Langer
Although the Dodgers will look to defend their World Series title in October, the journey starts here in February in Glendale, Arizona. As the day for the first spring training game between the Dodgers and the Cubs inches closer, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided a myriad of updates on players, injuries, and goals for the upcoming season.
“I don’t see him playing in the opener here in spring training,” was what Roberts said when asked about Freddie Freeman‘s availability throughout the Cactus League. Freeman, of course, is still covering from a couple of injuries he suffered during the end of the 2024 regular season, and dealt with said wounds throughout the postseason.
Roberts did say, however, that Freeman should be playing within the first five games of spring training, so Dodgers fans won’t have to wait long to see their World Series hero back on the baseball diamond.
While the resounding message surrounding the pitcher Shohei Ohtani is that he’ll be cautiously eased back into pitching in an actual game, it sounds like the hitter Shohei Ohtani is ready to go for spring training. “I do expect [Shohei] to be in Cactus League games early on,” Roberts remarked.
One of the newest Dodgers additions, Blake Snell, has really impressed so far. “The best conversations I’ve had in spring have been with Blake,” Roberts said. “I think he’s really into trying to make people around him better.” Roberts also mentioned that Snell was “very excited” to have a long-term contract.
Snell has spent time the last five years with San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and even faced the Dodgers back in the 2020 World Series when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Last spring, Mookie Betts was tasked with taking over shortstop after now Cincinnati Red Gavin Lux struggled at the position. Betts, however, also had trouble consistently making throws across the diamond, and he was eventually moved back to right field to allow for Miguel Rojas to become the everyday shortstop.
This year, however, Betts is back at it again, this time with a full spring training to prepare. “[Betts] certainly felt he had unfinished business,” Roberts said. “He wants to win championships.” Roberts also elaborated that he thinks Betts’ play at shortstop is “two-grades better already.”
Lastly, Roberts touched on the return of Clayton Kershaw, who’s set to begin his 18th season as a Dodger. Although Kershaw will start the year on the 60-day IL, “Even Clayton being around has been uplifting, positive, “Roberts said. “To know that we’ve got him in our back pocket is pretty exciting.”
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