Dodgers’ World Series hangover has slower ramp-up to spring

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — By the time manager Dave Roberts dropped by the Dodgers’ spring training facility on Thursday, Shohei Ohtani had been in camp for well over a week.

“Shohei,” Roberts said, “looks fantastic.”

Yoshinobu Yamamoto received a similar evaluation from Roberts, as did some of the other players who were at Camelback Ranch before the reporting date for pitchers and catchers.

But as the team gathers over the following handful of days, Roberts doesn’t expect everyone to be as built up as Ohtani or Yamamoto, who are preparing for the World Baseball Classic in March.

If anything, Roberts anticipates more players to be behind where they would usually be. 

The days of players using spring training to work their way into shape are something of the distant past. Most of them show up to camp already in shape, as they are paid enough to be able to train year-round and not have to find odd jobs in the winter. 

But many veteran Dodgers didn’t have that luxury this winter, as their team played through October in each of the last two years, requiring many of them to prioritize recovery in the offseason.

“Most of the guys I’ve talked to have been on the same program I’ve been on,” Max Muncy told Foul Territory recently. “We haven’t started any baseball activity until the middle of January.

“Just trying to give your body as much rest as possible.”

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This is what a World Series hangover really is: the physical and mental aftereffects of a seven-month season. The manager nicknamed “Doc” will be tasked this spring with treating the symptoms, which could be especially pronounced on a team in which many key players are in their mid-30s.

Freddie Freeman is 36. Max Muncy is 35, and Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez are 33.

“It does change the ramping-up process,” Roberts acknowledged at Cactus League media day.

Roberts could use some players sparingly in the early stages of the exhibition season. He and pitching coach Mark Prior could slow down certain pitchers’ throwing programs.

“I don’t know what it looks like for each individual, whether it’s pitching, whether it’s a younger player that’s been around, a veteran position player, for example, Freddie Freeman,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be individualized.”

Roberts said he will have a better idea what this camp will look like after he checks in with his players.

“I do think that I’m prepared to use all six weeks to get guys up to speed and ready,” he said. “It’s fair to say that it’s going to be a slower ramp-up for most guys because of the last two seasons that we’ve had to endure.”

Already, Blake Snell has talked about taking a more deliberate approach to building up his arm after a season in which his shoulder never felt right. Snell’s status for Opening Day is uncertain. Tommy Edman is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and will also be slow-played.

This is only the start for Roberts, who will have to monitor the condition of his players throughout the season.

Freeman said a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to play 162 games this year.

“Great,” Roberts said jokingly.

Adopting a more serious tone, Roberts continued, “I think that I’ve already come to understand and respect that every player wants to play every game, should want to play every game. Certainly a guy like Freddie, who’s done it. 

“And for me, I don’t have a set number right now on games played. I still probably got the under on 162.”

On the other side of the spectrum are the players who will leave the team to represent their countries in the WBC: Ohtani, Yamamoto, Will Smith, Edwin Diaz and Hyeseong Kim.

Roberts expects them to be featured in Cactus Leagues games before they join their respective national teams, with Yamamoto possibly making two starts in the first week of the exhibition season. Because Ohtani will be limited to hitting in the WBC, Roberts said he wouldn’t pitch for the Dodgers until after the tournament.

Whether it’s players such as Ohtani or Yamamoto who are ramping up early for the WBC or players such as Snell or Muncy who are taking it slower, Roberts is looking to guide them with the objective of ensuring they are healthy in October. 

The players understand. The World Series hangover is real. When the Yankees won three consecutive championships from 1998 to 2000, their regular-season win total decreased every year, from 114 to 98 to 87.

“Knowing that if we want to make another run to November, you’ve got to be as rested as you can to get through the summertime,” Muncy said. “Spring training this year is going to be more like it was in the old days, where spring training is almost like your offseason.”

Such is the cost of winning.