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

Alex Reyes

Like Hudson, Alex Reyes will also not be ready for Opening Day, but the Dodgers seemingly have big plans for the 2021 All-Star. LA signed him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract loaded with incentives with the hope he bounces back and provides stability in the back end of the bullpen.

The right-hander was non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals in November after shoulder surgery knocked him out for all of 2022 (and was expected to keep him out for the start of 2023). The Cards didn't want to pay his rising arbitration cost with the injury uncertainty, so the Dodgers guaranteed him $1.1 million with a club option for 2024 (the deal can be worth up to $10 million).

Though Reyes comes with control issues (6 BB/9 for his career), he finished with a 3.24 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 1.36 WHIP and 95 strikeouts in 72.1 innings just two seasons ago before succumbing to surgery. His fastball-slider-sinker combo is lethal when he's locating, and his velocity is off the charts (91st percentile in 2021). He also limits hard contact, as most of his underlying metrics positively align with his strengths.

He's going to need some time to get back on the horse, but expect a big second half from the former Cardinals closer as he eventually teams up with Hudson, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips to shut the door on the opposition.