Dodgers Roster Continues to Crystalize

The Dodgers roster continues to crystalize as they officially break camp.

Wunderkind Julio Urias officially will not start the season with the Dodgers, as the organization continues to protect his arm. The projected innings cap for Urias is 180. So starting the season in extended spring training does not come as much of a surprise.

Last season, the phenom compiled a 3.39 ERA. He also had a 5-2 record with an eye-popping 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. He is going to play a large role during the season, as the club views him as one of their top pitchers.

Urias will eventually join Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu. All who were officially named to the rotation by manager Dave Roberts this week.

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With Ryu officially making it, the final rotation slot was decided by Alex Wood’s implosion yesterda. This all but assures McCarthy of the final spot. The benefit with Wood is that he has bullpen experience, and he will likely make starts this season.

To that point, Scott Kazmir and Brock Stewart, both of whom were competing for a spot, will start the season on the disabled list. Ross Stripling was also in the competition but was moved to the bullpen.

Joining Kazmir and Stewart on the DL at the start of the season are relievers Pedro Baez and Josh Ravin. Both of whom will play roles in the bullpen later this year.

Two additional relievers were sent down as well, Josh Fields and Adam Liberatore. Theoretically, the moves are surprising as both had very effective stints in 2016. Left-hander Libertore set a Dodgers record with 28 consecutive scoreless appearances.

With Wood likely headed for the bullpen, the Dodgers appear to have three left-handers in relief. Grant Dayton and Luis Avilan look set to make the roster. Sergio Romo and Kenley Jansen will fill the eighth- and ninth-inning roles, respectively.

And in a somewhat surprising move, it looks as Chris Hatcher will make the club. Hatcher, who carries a 7.27 ERA this spring, is out of minor league options.

There is just too much depth in this system for the Dodgers to keep waiting for him to come around.

On the offensive side, one recent major development is with Kike Hernandez being listed as day-to-day after taking a fastball to the wrist. Though x-rays were negative, this provides an opening for Chris Taylor to take the utility spot.

Taylor has performed in spectacular fashion this spring, batting .395 and posting a 1.077 OPS.

Other pending decisions for Roberts and the front office include whether or not to include Bobby Wilson and carry three catchers.

Austin Barnes will likely be the backup due to his versatility, but Wilson has cracked four home runs in the spring.

His .277 average is stout if he were to maintain that clip.

The backup first base slot was Scott Van Slyke’s to lose. But the power is not appearing during the spring, as his .759 OPS will attest.

Rob Segedin, on the other hand, provides plenty of pop with three home runs and a 1.285 OPS. He also fared very well in the World Baseball Classic against elite competition.

In the outfield, Andre Ethier’s back injury is muddling the depth chart. Unsung 2016 hero Andrew Toles will likely get the first crack at the starting job in left field.

He will be splitting time with newly acquired Franklin Gutierrez. The Dodgers are bullish on Trayce Thompson as a fourth outfielder. Thompson showed nice power pre-injury last season, and can play center field as well as left.  Charlie Culberson is still in the mix as well.

Next: Dodgers Chat

With only four days remaining until the 25-man roster deadline, there is still a few decisions looming for the club. Until then, the Dodgers roster continues to crystalize.