Picking the Dodgers opening day roster

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With just a little over three days remaining before opening day rosters are due — Sunday at noon PT, if you're keeping track — here is my educated guess of the Dodgers' 25-man roster for Monday, April 6.

We have gone over several of the options in great detail, from the bench to the bullpen, and even made a flowchart to keep track of the relievers. We have also talked 10-day rule, and talked about the remaining choices that need to be made this week not once, but twice.

As of the time of this post there are still technically 39 players left in camp. Here are my picks for the opening day roster, and the moves to get there.

Opening day

Starting pitchers (4): Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson

Relief pitchers (7): Chris Hatcher, Paco Rodriguez, Joel Peralta, J.P. Howell, Juan Nicasio, Yimi Garcia, Sergio Santos*

Catchers (2): Yasmani Grandal, A.J. Ellis

Infielders (7): Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins, Juan Uribe, Justin Turner, Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez

Outfielders (5): Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke, Andre Ethier

15-day disabled list (3): Kenley Jansen, Brandon League, Hyun-jin Ryu

60-day disabled list (2): Brandon Beachy, Chris Withrow

Opening day lineup

Rollins SS
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Kendrick 2B
Grandal C
Crawford LF
Uribe 3B
Pederson CF
Kershaw P

I think Grandal and Kendrick will switch depending on starting pitcher handedness in most cases, but that Kendrick's 14-for-29 (.483) with four doubles, a triple and a home run against James Shields will earn him the cleanup spot on opening day. (Photo: Joe Camporeale | USA Today Sports)

*non-roster invitee

The moves

Santos takes the vacant 40-man spot opened with the release of Dustin McGowan.

Reassigned to minor league camp (5): David Aardsma, Mike Adams, Erik Bedard, Chad Gaudin, David Huff

Optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City (4): Pedro Baez, Darwin Barney, Chris Heisey, Adam Liberatore

The Dodgers roll with an extra bench player for the first seven games and, assuming nobody else gets hurt (which could open up a new avenue), I think the team goes with Huff for the spot start on April 14, moving League to the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man. Huff then gets kept in the bullpen as the long man going forward.

A fifth starter wouldn't be needed again until April 25, and by then the club could turn to Joe Wieland or any of its other starting options, until Ryu is ready.