Next week, the Dodgers will report to spring training to begin their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series championship.
And coming out of Saturday’s annual Fanfest event, there is more clarity on where the team stands at the dawn of a new year.
As the 2026 season approaches, here is an early look at the state of the club’s roster and how the final 26-man group might look come opening day.
Starting rotation
Opening day locks: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell*
Battling for a spot: River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack
(*could start season on injured list)
The Dodgers are going to be careful with how they handle their starting pitchers this year. But for now, most appear to be on track for opening day.
Despite throwing more than 200 innings between the regular season and playoffs a year ago, Yamamoto is already gearing up for an early start to his season, set to play for Team Japan in next month’s World Baseball Classic. Given his importance to the team’s success last year, he could have the inside track to being the opening day starter, assuming he comes through the WBC feeling good.
Beyond him, several other Dodgers pitchers appear to have handled the quick turnaround this offseason presented. Glasnow (who once again spent significant time on the injured list last year) and Sheehan (who returned midway through last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery) said they’ve felt good during their winter throwing programs. Sasaki (who will not play in the WBC) and Ohtani (who will only hit in the event) also said they are focusing on their ramp-ups for the regular season.
The biggest question at the moment is Snell, who slow-played his winter work because of lingering shoulder problems. While he said the plan is to be ready for opening day, much will depend on how he feels as he goes through the spring. If he isn’t ready for the start of the year, it could create an opening for a younger arm like Ryan, Stone or someone else –– assuming the Dodgers go with a six-man rotation.
Bullpen
Opening day locks: Edwin Díaz, Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol
Battling for a spot: Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez
The Dodgers’ relief corps will now be anchored by Díaz, their new $69 million closer. They have left-handed options with Vesia and Scott. They are also expecting bounce-back seasons from Treinen (who had a career-worst 5.40 ERA last year) and Graterol (who missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery). Brock Stewart is likely to begin the year on the injured list, recovering from his own shoulder surgery late last season.
Still, there’s much to be decided during camp. Banda and Dreyer both present options for further lefty depth. Klein and Henriquez will be trying to cement permanent MLB jobs after contributing in the playoffs last year. And Casprius and Wrobleski can serve in multi-inning swingman roles, or be potential starting candidates if there is an opening in the rotation.
Infield
Opening day locks: Will Smith (catcher), Freddie Freeman (first base), Tommy Edman* (second base), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Max Muncy (third base), Miguel Rojas (bench), Andy Ibáñez (bench), Dalton Rushing (backup catcher)
Battling for a spot: Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland
If not for Edman’s offseason ankle surgery, this group would largely be set. However, the possibility of him starting the season on the injured list could create opportunities for others.
If Edman isn’t ready for the start of the year, it’s likely second base could be a platoon with Rojas and either Kim or Freeland –– two young players who showed flashes of production last year, but will be battling to display more consistent offense this spring. Ibáñez, an offseason signing who is likely a roster lock since he has no minor-league options left, could also factor in at second base, while occasionally spelling Muncy at third.
MLB Photos via Getty Images
Outfield
Opening day locks: Kyle Tucker (right field), Teoscar Hernández (left field), Andy Pages (center field), Alex Call (bench)
Battling for a spot: Ryan Ward
Tucker’s $240 million signing eliminated most of the questions here. Now, the Dodgers have three clear outfield starters, plus Call as an option off the bench.
Ward, a longtime minor-league standout who was finally placed on the 40-man roster this offseason, saw his chances of making the team plummet upon Tucker’s arrival. However, his productive left-handed bat is still an intriguing tool, making him a potential alternative in the event of any unforeseen spring training injuries.
Designated hitter
Opening day locks: Ohtani
No analysis needed here.