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The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again victims of a condensed spring schedule as they get ready to open their season abroad for a second straight year. With the Tokyo series fast approaching, the Dodgers are under added pressure to finalize certain areas of their roster sooner rather than later.
One area of Los Angeles' roster with spots still up for grabs is the bullpen, particularly after Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech entered spring training behind schedule while recovering from injuries. In the event that one or both open the 2025 season on the injured list, a pair of dark horse candidates to make the Dodgers' Opening Day roster have emerged during spring training.
Dodgers’ last open bullpen spot could come down to Ben Casparius or Luis Garcia
On one end of the spectrum, we have 26-year-old Ben Casparius. The right-hander had a whirlwind of a year in 2024, starting the season in Double-A Springdale and finishing it with the Dodgers in the World Series. In seven games between the regular season and the postseason, Casparius went 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA, 17 strikeouts and nine walks over 14 2/3 innings pitched.
Casparius has been less impressive in his two Cactus League appearances this year, but the Dodgers as a whole have put up a rather forgettable spring performance. With 16 days of Major League service time and two option years remaining, Casparius was likely already in the mix to start some games for Los Angeles in 2025. Now, however, the Dodgers may choose to enlist his services in the bullpen.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have 38-year-old Luis Garcia, who signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers this offseason in the hopes of resurrecting his career following a brief yet disastrous stint with the Boston Red Sox. Garcia has pitched for six different Major League teams over the past 12 seasons, compiling a 4.14 ERA over 545 appearances.
Garcia is at Dodgers spring training as a non-roster invitee, and if he pitches well, he may very well be helping the Dodgers in their quest to defend their World Series title in 2025.
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