Dodgers: Storylines to Watch in This Year’s Spring Training

Will the Dodgers projected rotation stay intact or can Walker Buehler force his way into a rotation spot?

The Dodgers current projected rotation is Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Kenta Maeda.  It would be an upset if Buehler made the opening day rotation due to the fact the Dodgers are going to limit his innings this year.  If there is an injury than Buehler could make the rotation but without an injury, the odds are against him.

Although Buehler is a long shot to make the rotation, he should still be fun to watch in spring training.  His first big league callup last season did not go well, but to be fair Buehler wasn’t used to coming out of the bullpen.  Other young starting pitchers who could force their way into the competition are Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart.  If either pitcher gets hot in spring training, the Dodgers could pull off a trade to shore up their bullpen or bench.

There is always the chance that the Dodgers could deal away a starter or sign another starting pitcher on the market.  Now that Darvish is off the market, it’s unlikely they will bring on another big name starting pitcher.  The club wants to stay under the luxury tax threshold. Otherwise, Darvish would have likely re-signed with the Dodgers.