Dodgers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training on Feb. 12. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, we look at the infield. Previously, the outfielders and catchers.
2025 RECAP
The biggest question mark in the Dodgers’ infield as the 2025 season began was Mookie Betts. A six-time Gold Glove winner as a right fielder, Betts made the unprecedented move to shortstop in mid-career. By the end of his first full season at the position, Betts was a Gold Glove finalist. However, the effort Betts poured into the transition (and an early-season virus that sapped his strength) seemed to adversely impact his offense. Betts had the worst offensive season of his career – though he did finish strong (.317/.376/.516 over his final 47 games). The Dodgers’ position player group was the oldest in MLB last year (an average age of 30.7) and that aging was most evident at the corners, where third baseman Max Muncy was limited by injuries for the second consecutive season and first baseman Freddie Freeman suffered through the longest slump of his career in June and July. One of the most consistent hitters of his era, Freeman still finished with his usual line (.295/.367/.502). Tommy Edman’s recurring ankle injury (which required surgery following the season) and Hyeseong Kim’s slow transition to MLB made second base a revolving door that saw six different players start games.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
The Dodgers picked up the option in Muncy’s contract, so the infield returns largely intact for the 2026 season. The Dodgers also re-signed Miguel Rojas for a bench role and added utilityman Andy Ibañez. With a full year at shortstop under his belt (and buoyed by that strong finish last season), the Dodgers are optimistic about a bounce-back season offensively from Betts. Second base is the only position in the Dodgers’ every-day lineup that lacks clarity. They will have to sort it out among Edman (likely to be limited early in the season while recovering from ankle surgery), Rojas, Kim, Ibañez and Alex Freeland.
THE NEXT LAYER
Muncy hasn’t played more than 100 games in either of the past two seasons, making it likely that Ibañez gets extended playing time at third base. His career success against left-handed pitching (a .280 average and .778 OPS) could also mean more downtime for Muncy against lefties. Freeland’s path to playing time is less clear with the crowd of options at second base. Ryan Fitzgerald was added on a minor-league contract as well. Ibañez largely fills the role Kiké Hernandez filled the past two years but Hernandez is likely to return at some point in 2026. After elbow surgery in the fall, Hernandez is not expected to be ready to play until possibly after the All-Star break. That’s fine by the Dodgers, who want “October Kike” more than the regular-season version. The Dodgers could re-sign him after the season starts and stash him on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from the surgery.
MOVES THEY COULD MAKE
Freeman is 36 years old. Muncy will turn 36 in August. Betts is 33 and already planning for retirement (when his contract ends following the 2032 season). Rojas will turn 37 in February and has said this will be his last season. The Dodgers will have to get younger on the infield at some point – but that won’t be in 2026. Barring a serious injury to one of their front-liners, this is the group they will roll with again.