Dodgers news & notes
Los Angeles Dodgers news and notes, plus starting lineups, pregame and postgame happenings, including interviews with players, coaches, and managers.
Our 2023 Dodgers predictions
Predictions for the 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers, from the staff of True Blue LA.
Get ready for shorter baseball games in 2023
Game times have been shorter this spring training after the introduction of the pitch timer in Major League Baseball. "I love it," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "The rhythm of the game, the time of the game, all of that is going to leave everyone wanting for more the next day."
MLB managers have less time to initiate replay reviews
MLB managers will have less time to decide whether to review plays this year. Dave Roberts explained the difference between this year and last year.
Noda & Varland, Rule 5 picks from Dodgers, make their new teams
Gus Varland and Ryan Noda, Rule 5 picks from the Dodgers in December, made the Brewers and A’s opening day rosters, respectively.
Dodgers eying late April return for Gonsolin & Hudson
Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin and Daniel Hudson will both start the season on the injured list with ankle injuries. A look at the rehab timeline for both, which could be at the end of April if things progress as hoped.
Dodgers minor leaguers get major league experience
Lots of Dodgers minor leaguers are part of the Freeway Series to get experience in major league stadiums, and James Outman is switching uniform numbers.
Chris Taylor’s chances will come against lefties, for now
Dodgers’ Chris Taylor slumped through spring training and is trying to work his way out of it. But most of his opportunity for playing time will come against left-handers for now.
How the Dodgers’ Rule 5 picks are doing with their new teams
Checking in on how Gus Varland, Ryan Noda, and Jose Hernandez are doing with their new teams this spring training after getting slected from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft in December.
Breaking down Jason Heyward’s swing changes
A closer look at the swing changes Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward made to his swing.
Chris Taylor’s spring training struggles are a concern
Chris Taylor dealt with injuries last season, his worst year as a regular, with the second-highest strikeout rate in the majors. This spring, now healthy, Taylor has struggled mightily, with six hits in 48 at-bats and a 40-percent strikeout rate.
What to make of Dodgers home runs in spring training
Let’s talk Dodgers home runs, including hit by Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez, and two allowed by Julio Urías, and what that means, if anything, in games that don’t count.
Dodgers set rotation order, Kershaw starts third game
The Dodgers set the order of their starting rotation to open the season. After opening day starter Julio Urías will be Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard, and the yet-unnamed fifth starter (either Ryan Pepiot or Michael Grove).
Julio Urías will start opening day
The Dodgers named Julio Urías the opening day starter for the 2023 season, honoring the left-hander who led the National League in ERA in 2022 and received Cy Young Award votes in each of the last two seasons.
Grove vs. Pepiot, plus more time for regulars
The Dodgers allowed 10 runs in the first inning on Thursday, but otherwise Michael Grove was impressive on the mound. Will Smith returned after the World Baseball Classic; expect more regulars to play over the final five spring games.
James Outman makes Dodgers opening day roster
Rookie outfielder James Outman made the Dodgers opening day roster, manager Dave Roberts told reporters at Camelback Ranch in spring training on Thursday morning.
Pepiot and the path to the Dodgers starting rotation
Ryan Pepiot is in the mix for a spot in the Dodgers starting rotation to start the season. To win and keep that spot, the aim is clear: throw more strikes.
Dodgers bats dominated by George Kirby in loss to Mariners
M’s pitching stifles the Dodgers for the entire night on an uneventful loss
The pitching decisions remaining this spring
As spring training winds down, a look at the final decisions remaining for the Dodgers to finalize their opening day roster.
A tale of two split-squad games
The Dodgers beat the Guardians, and lost to the Giants this afternoon.
Dodger Notes: David Peralta, Daniel Hudson, Gavin Stone
Dodgers lose 5-1 to Rockies at Salt River
Gavin Stone strikes out 8 in only 3 innings
Gavin Stone struck out eight batters — the most by a Dodgers pitcher this spring — in only three innings, continuing his impressive spring training. Dalton Rushing, the team’s top draft pick in 2022, singled in his first appearance in a spring game.
Notes: May, Nelson, Vargas, Noda
Dustin May’s wildness made for a shorter outing than planned for the Dodgers, Jimmy Nelson’s rough spring continued, an unfettered Miguel Vargas has thrived at the plate, plus catching up with former Dodger Ryan Noda, a Rule 5 pick of the A’s.
Taylor homers, Freeman thrives in return from tight hamstring
Freddie Freeman had two hits in his return from hamstring tightness, and Chris Taylor homered on Saturday for the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch.
James Outman should be on the Dodgers opening day roster
The Dodgers should include James Outman on the opening day roster. He’s earned it.
Martinez & Vargas homer, Pepiot leaves after 3 innings
The Dodgers got home runs from Miguel Vargas and J.D. Martinez in a win over the Cubs. Starting pitcher went three innings Ryan Pepiot, but left after a high pitch count and slight discomfort in his side.
Reasons to expect a Max Muncy bounce back in 2023
Max Muncy was recovering from a devastating elbow injury and went through a swing change in 2022, posting his worst season with the Dodgers. But even with all those struggles, Muncy was still above average, and underlying numbers suggest a big bounce back in 2023.
Should Mookie continue to hit leadoff for the Dodgers?
Mookie Betts will likely hit leadoff for the Dodgers again in 2023, especially with Gavin Lux missing the season. But as the team’s top slugger, there’s a case to be made for moving down in the order to capitalize on his at-bats.
Jimmy Nelson’s rough start to spring training
Dodgers pitcher Jimmy Nelson hasn’t yet found the strike zone this spring training, in limited duty. In his four Cactus League appearances, Nelson has walks eight of 17 batters, with no strikeouts. That included four walks to his five batters faced on Thursday against the Rangers.
Kershaw, Freeman & changing plans in spring training
A rainout forced the Dodgers to alter their pitching plans, but Clayton Kershaw and the bulk of the starting rotation is at a good point in getting stretched out in spring training, with two weeks until opening day.
Dodgers vs. Rockies canceled by rain
The Dodgers’ scheduled game against the Rockies at Camelback Ranch was canceled by rain on Wednesday night.
Can Dustin May be a Dodgers ace in 2023?
A look at Dustin May’s repertoire, and a suggestion of what he could do to become less predictable, and how he might make the leap into the next great Dodgers pitcher.