3 non-roster invitees who could steal Opening Day roster spots for the Dodgers

Elieser Hernández

Hernández was a lowkey minor league signing for the Dodgers this offseason, one of many bullpen arms LA secured and will undoubtedly try to reclaim during spring training or through more time in Triple-A. Before the Dodgers, he spent five years with the Marlins from 2018 to 2022 as an innings-eater in relief, averaging about 66 innings a year when you take the COVID-shortened 2020 season out of the equation. His numbers weren't great (he had a 5.19 ERA over those years), but he has been able to maintain a low walk rate and a decent strikeout rate through nine.

He was traded to the Mets in 2023 but didn't make a major league start for them, and only pitched 9 1/3 innings through the Mets' minor league system as he battled multiple injuries. However, there are a few Dodgers relievers who could be at risk during spring training if Hernández or any of his fellow NRI pitchers can come through. Gus Varland was a midseason pickup who managed to get his ERA down after a pretty disastrous few innings in Milwaukee, but he still only pitched 11 2/3 innings for a 3.09 ERA. Michael Grove came in for almost 70 innings, starting 12 games in 18 appearances, but his ERA on the year was over 6.00.

If the Dodgers can rehabilitate Hernández and get his slider and changeup to where they used to be (both had sub-.200 batting averages against in 2021) during spring training, he could have as good a shot as any to get onto the major league roster.