The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2025 season with what many consider one of the most talented MLB rosters assembled in decades. There already seems to be a target on their backs across the league after front-office boss Andrew Friedman spared no punches this winter by filling nearly every gap on the player roster.
As many pundits have debated, Friedman’s spending may not be a result of the Dodgers flexing their financial muscles as much as other teams not willing to invest their resources in top talent.
Regardless, the team’s exceptional depth at multiple positions gives them the flexibility to maintain their high level of play throughout the grueling 162-game season. While the Dodgers appear primed for another deep postseason run, the only significant concern looming over their championship aspirations would be potential injuries to key players, particularly given the heavy workload expected from their star pitchers.
Based on the number of injuries we’ve seen the last few seasons — see the Los Angeles 2024 NLCS and World Series starting pitching rotation — the coaching staff may need to carefully manage player health to maximize their chances of securing another World Series title.
With Fanfest having taken place last week, several players were vocal about their progress recovering from their respective injuries, providing fans with a bit of an update on who will be available for the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs beginning on March 18.
First baseman Freddie Freeman was among the headliners, telling reporters that he expects to be ready to play by Opening Day, but he could miss the beginning part of Cactus League play during spring training in Arizona.
The 35-year-old Villa Park native was one of the true heroes of the club’s 2025 playoff run, eventually earning World Series most valuable player honors after playing through a bone bruise and a sprain in his right ankle. Even if there’s a setback in his recovery, the Dodgers have several options at first base in Tokyo, including the lefty hitting Max Muncy, who shifted over to third base when Freeman arrived in Los Angeles back in 2022.
Something else we’ve been chatting a lot about lately is righty starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and whether he’ll be ready for Opening Day. According to Dodger Insider, the Los Angeles County native told fans and reporters that “I feel as good as I’ve ever felt.”
If he makes it through spring training unscathed, the Los Angeles rotation might consist of a six-man crew with Glasnow, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, with no hurry to rush Shohei Ohtani back to the bump.
And, it may be worth mentioning that the Triple-A Oklahoma City Opening Day roster will probably be highlighted with several high-quality options, including Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius and Nick Frasso.
Infielder Miguel Rojas told reporters that he’s in good shape after suffering from an infection after a sports hernia surgery he had during the offseason. Like Freeman, Rojas played through the injury at the end of 2024 and waited until the offseason to have the procedure.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Camelback Ranch in Arizona on Monday, February 10.