Dodgers preview opening day lineup, mull final roster spot

PHOENIX –– The Dodgers finally had their full team back in camp on Friday.

Which meant, after most of their biggest stars were away for the World Baseball Classic the last month, they were able to preview their likely opening day lineup for the first time this spring.

In a 4-3 win against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch, the two-time defending champions showcased the full firepower of their $400 million roster.

The team’s batting order boasted a combined six MVP awards, 33 All-Star appearances, 19 Silver Sluggers and eight Gold Gloves –– with Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith rejoining Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and the club’s other superstar hitters after their WBC absences.

The starting pitcher was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP, a 2025 Cy Young award finalist, and the team’s 2026 opening day starter –– making his first Cactus League appearance since rejoining camp earlier this week.

“We’ll see,” manager Dave Roberts joked when asked if he’d fill out the lineup card the same way for next Thursday’s season-opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “It’s some good players.”

The only real change Roberts might contemplate for opening day is who plays at second base. On Friday, it was Miguel Rojas. But the team could opt for a left-handed hitter in that spot against projected Arizona starter Zac Gallen.

For now, the Dodgers haven’t decided which left-handed-hitting second baseman will make the team in that spot as they prepare to break camp Saturday. Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland remain the final two candidates. Roberts said a decision would come by this weekend.

“It’s one of those things that you could argue both sides of either decision, as far as Alex or Hyeseong,” Roberts said. “I just don’t think it’s clear-cut.” 

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Roberts noted that the team hasn’t seen Kim much this spring, after he was also away at the WBC. Freeland, however, failed to take advantage of Kim’s absence, hitting just .108 in the Cactus League despite taking “great at-bats,” in Roberts’ opinion.

“There’s just deeper conversations that are going to be had,” Roberts continued.

Not that the final choice, of course, will change much about the overall starpower of the team.

Yama-mojo: In his final spring tune-up, Yamamoto already looked like he was in midseason form. In five scoreless innings against the Padres on Friday, the Dodgers’ opening day starter struck out seven batters, walked just one and scattered three singles. Several times, he appeared to be nodding to himself in approval, as he got 14 whiffs with his six-pitch mix.

“He came out with a purpose,” Roberts said. “Everything was good and very efficient. Pretty effortlessly got through five.”

Will returns: Will Smith marked his return to Dodgers camp with an extra-base hit, leading off the fourth inning with a double. It was a good sign for the catcher, who went only 3-for-13 in the WBC with one double and one RBI –– but still raved about the experience after his second career appearance in the tournament. 

“Those games were a lot of fun,” Smith said. “You’re playing for your country. There’s a lot of passion going into it. There’s a lot of excitement. The crowds are awesome. So definitely grateful for those experiences.”

Smith’s only wish: That Team USA would’ve won, having fallen short in the final for the second-consecutive tournament.

“It still stings right now,” Smith said. “But luckily we get our rings in a couple days from the World Series last year, so I think that’ll change my mind.” 

Pick to click: In recent years, Dave Roberts has named an annual “pick to click” before the season. Sometimes it has worked (Teoscar Hernández in 2024). Other times, not so much (Michael Conforto a season ago). This year, he opted for Andy Pages, predicting the third-year outfielder to take another step coming off his 27-homer campaign a year ago, and once again praising his mature approach to this spring’s camp.

“He was a young player a few years ago that didn’t like the weight room, really didn’t work with intent,” Roberts said. “But now offensively, defensively, he’s very consistent and on par with our superstar players. And on top of that, he’s learned to be a better hitter, a major-league hitter, and not just a slugger.”

Up next: The Dodgers wrap up their time in Arizona on Saturday with an 11 a.m. game against the Athletics. Emmet Sheehan will start, but few other big-league regulars are expected to play.