The Dodgers’ bullpen was the anchor behind their road to securing their eighth championship in franchise history, but there was one notable arm that was absent during the World Series.
Evan Phillips, who led the team in saves during the regular season, was left off of the World Series roster as he dealt with a tear in his rotator cuff. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register notes that Phillips is behind schedule in his recovery, and is a “long shot” to be ready for the Dodgers’ Tokyo Series in March.
As a result, his throwing program in December was limited to medicine balls and light plyometric balls. He didn’t pick up a baseball until Jan. 1 and has only progressed to throwing long toss as camp opens this week, putting him behind schedule to be ready for the start of the season – and making him a very long shot to be ready for the games in Tokyo on March 18 and 19.
The recent additions of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates give the Dodgers much needed depth for the bullpen and despite Phillips’ uncertainty to return in time for opening day, Scott will be handling the bulk of save opportunities to begin the regular season.
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Miguel Rojas previously remarked that if the entire roster is healthy throughout the duration of the regular season, then the team has the potential to break the record for the most wins in a single season, even the potential to reach 120 wins.
For third baseman Max Muncy, the win total isn’t his main concern, but the ability to consistently reach the postseason is, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
“We’re just trying to take care of business and put ourselves in a good position to make the postseason,” Muncy said. “That’s the most important thing, making the postseason. It doesn’t matter if it’s 90 wins, 120 wins.”
The Dodgers roster as it stands will make it difficult for any highly touted prospects to make an impact for the big league team barring any injuries. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic notes that Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland are the two prospects that are most likely to crack the roster this upcoming season.
The presence of Smith behind the plate (and his decade-long extension) certainly complicates Rushing’s path to everyday playing time, but he has gotten work at first base and in left field as well… There isn’t a clear path to playing time for Freeland, but if things go wrong at the shortstop position — not just with Mookie Betts, but with the several options behind him — Freeland is the top internal option in the system.