Hello and welcome to a Spring Training news update for the Dodgers before the games start.
The vibes at Camelback Ranch continue to be great.
Brusdar Graterol, spy.
[image or embed]
— Chad Moriyama (@chadmoriyama.bsky.social) February 17, 2025 at 4:40 AM
And the clubhouse seems ready for the repeat attempt behind speeches from Dave Roberts, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Max Muncy.
“My challenge is mentally stay in it. Every day. Get better.” pic.twitter.com/QYSwj99z8c
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 16, 2025
Freddie, Mookie and Max hold court. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/ertsAfgT2s
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 16, 2025
======
Mookie is in complete “nobody believed in us” mode when it comes to proving he can play short.
“I’m really excited to prove everybody wrong. All the people that doubt me, they’ll see.”
Really happy about that, as these elite guys finding chips on their shoulders usually works out for the team.
In the off-season, he worked with Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Woodward, with Dave Roberts saying he’s “two grades better”.
“I couldn’t believe the strides that he made,” Tulowitzki said. “I say to do something, and it’s pretty much done in a day or two. And then once he went home, he would send me video back, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s it, man.’ Talk about a pretty easy guy to work with. He’s special.”
I mean, sure, let’s see.
The six-man rotation is indeed coming this season, but Andrew Friedman says it won’t be implemented until Shohei Ohtani is back in the rotation.
The most notable update from Andrew Friedman this morning: he expects the Dodgers to go with a traditional five-man rotation until Shohei Ohtani is back before going to a six-man.
So that would mean an eight-man bullpen.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 14, 2025
I don’t actually think this should be that much of an adjustment because the Dodgers have always tried to get their starters an extra day or two of rest as it was.
——
In contract news, the details of Clayton Kershaw‘s signing are now out, and he’ll return on $7.5 million with incentives that could take it up to $16 million.
The Dodgers have signed 10-time All-Star and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract for $7.5 million with roster and games-started bonuses. In order to make room for Kershaw on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred RHP River Ryan to the…
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 13, 2025
Breakdown of Clayton Kershaw’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources say: one-year, $7.5 million.
The deal includes $1 million each for 13, 14, 15, 16 games started. It also includes $2.5 million for 30 days on active roster, $1 million for 60 days on active roster,…
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 13, 2025
That’s actually quite a lot for like a half season of a guy whose performance quality is now in question for the first time since his rookie year, but also … well, it’s Clayton Kershaw.
In transaction news, a couple of NRIs were added in the form of infielder Michael Chavis, right-handed reliever Luis Garcia, and outfielder/former nemesis Eddie Rosario, who all seem like emergency depth options.
Veteran infielder Michael Chavis is also in Dodgers camp. Minor league deal, source says, with NRI.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 14, 2025
The Dodgers and RHP Luis Garcia have agreed to a minor league deal, sources tell @JustBB_Media. Includes an invite to Spring Training.
Garcia started the 2024 season with the Angels before he was acquired by the Red Sox at the deadline in exchange for four prospects.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) February 14, 2025
As Rosario was trying to downplay the 2021 NLCS, his ex-Atlanta teammate Freddie Freeman walked by and heard him
“Oh, I remember,” Freeman laughed
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) February 15, 2025
That makes 69 players in big-league camp. Lots of cuts are gonna come in a hurry.
——
Fortunately, there’s only been one surprising injury update.
Ohtani, Evan Phillips, and Michael Kopech being behind schedule was expected, and Kershaw and Graterol missing a bunch of time to start was as well (at least Brusdar is in good spirits).
Dave Roberts didn’t have a start date yet for Shohei Ohtani to start throwing full bullpens. Maintained that Ohtani will be pitching “sooner rather than later” but he won’t pitch in any Cactus League games.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 12, 2025
Dave Roberts also said Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech are both “a little behind schedule,” but it’s too early to tell whether either would have to start the season on the IL.
Dodgers will have the benefit of expanded rosters in Tokyo.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 12, 2025
Clayton Kershaw said he expects to be on the 60-day IL to start the season, but his timeline likely lines up for him to be ready once those 60 days are done.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 13, 2025
#Dodgers Brusdar Graterol said he feels like he has “a new arm” this spring after shoulder surgery last year. Labrum and ligament repaired. “Thank God it was not rotator cuff.”Won’t begin throwing program for another month or so but vows to pitch in 2025.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 14, 2025
Every day that passes without a new injury or setback is a great one for this team. Health is basically all they need.
That said, Will Smith seems like he needs some time.
Dave Roberts said Will Smith (ankle) probably won’t be in the lineup for a Cactus League game until next week.
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) February 18, 2025
The injury dates back to last year.
Will Smith isn’t expected to be in the Dodgers’ early Cactus League action due to an ankle issue that has nagged at him dating to last season. Smith said the issue only impacts him running and he hasn’t started a progression there just yet. But a sign of how minimal the issue is expected to be: Smith still caught Sasaki’s bullpen on Friday and took live batting practice off of Yamamoto and Knack.
======
Ready for the season to start, honestly.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto tomorrow.
