4 Dodgers who won't make the Opening Day roster but will contribute a lot in 2023

There's only room for 26 players on the Opening Day roster, so even some promising Spring Training performers won't be able to make it back to Los Angeles with the Dodgers come March 30. The front office will likely have to make some tough calls.

That's even with all of the roster issues. Gavin Lux is out for the season. Multiple relievers won't be ready for the start of the year as they work their way back from injuries. Expect the 2023 season to feature a lot of roster shuffling for the Dodgers, who will have guys coming back from the IL and others shuttling back and forth from Triple-A.

But just because somebody doesn't make the Opening Day roster doesn't mean they won't have an impact on the 2023 season. A number of Dodgers players who are either held back at the moment due to health issues or have yet to make their MLB debuts will be contributing for this team.

Some are having good springs, others will get a chance due to depth issues, and a few are on the mend from injuries suffered within the last 18 months. Who won't we see on March 30, but might see delivering in a big moment in August?

4 Dodgers who won't make Opening Day roster but will contribute a lot in 2023

Michael Busch

Busch still has a very outside chance to join the team for Opening Day after Lux's injury, but his spring isn't forcing the issue for the Dodgers. Through Wednesday's action, he's hitting .167 with a .542 OPS across 12 at-bats. Not great.

It's unfortunate that Busch doesn't play shortstop, or else he might've been a shoo-in. His experience playing first base, second base and left field might come in handy, though. Either way, his calling card so far in his minor-league career has been his bat, so he'll have to prove he can handle pitching at the next level if he wants to convince the Dodgers to give him a chance.

Even so, with the Dodgers' perilous depth situation, especially in the infield, Busch will likely get the call in the next few months solely because the Dodgers might need bodies. Then it'll be up to him to carve out a more concrete role for himself.