Dodgers 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Battle for last bullpen spots

Dodgers Bullpen

• Evan Phillips
• Brusdar Graterol
• Joe Kelly
• Ryan Brasier
• Alex Vesia
• Blake Treinen
• JP Feyereisen
• Gavin Stone

Dave Roberts has said that he thinks the Dodgers' bullpen will be one of the team's strengths this year, and looking at this selection of players, it's easy to see why. Phillips, Graterol, Kelly, and Brasier are the ringers, though Brasier will be looking to prove that his 38 2/3 innings with a 0.70 ERA last year weren't a fluke. Vesia was shaky at the beginning of last season, but his history of greatness in 2021 and 2022 will be likely to motivate the Dodgers to keep him as he makes (albeit unevenly split) appearances as a closer between Phillips, Graterol, and Kelly.

Treinen and Feyereisen are both coming off of injury, and Stone's future seems dependent on how he looks in spring training. Treinen feels like a lock, as he had a great 2021 with the Dodgers before he got hurt and he doesn't have minor league options left. Feyereisen's future may be a bit more nebulous; the Dodgers picked him up partway through his recovery from a rotator cuff surgery and he didn't pitch at all last year. Stone will also be fighting with Gus Varland and fellow top prospect Michael Grove for a final bullpen spot, which could add a little intrigue toward Opening Day.

Dodgers Infield

• Freddie Freeman (1B)
• Mookie Betts (2B)
• Gavin Lux (SS)
• Max Muncy (3B)
• Will Smith (C)

• Shohei Ohtani (DH)

Again, no surprises. Freeman, Muncy, and Smith have been fixtures of the Dodgers' infield for some time, and with Betts moving to second and Lux coming back from ACL surgery to play at short, there's little room for any infield prospects to try to break into. Betts, Lux, and Muncy could shift a bit between second and third, and Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas might get fill-in starts at any one of them, but the Dodgers infield is pretty much primed and ready to go. Ohtani won't play the field this year, but his presence in the lineup is a given.

Dodgers Outfield

• James Outman
• Teoscar Hernández
• Jason Heyward
• Shohei Ohtani (DH)

Though there were some rumors to the contrary, Roberts has said that he won't platoon James Outman in center field this year, which locks up the Dodgers' starting outfield. Taylor and Manuel Margot are expected to make starts at the corners behind Outman and Heyward.

Dodgers Bench

• Chris Taylor (UTIL)
• Miguel Rojas (INF)
• Manuel Margot (OF)
• Austin Barnes (C)

Barnes arguably shouldn't be the Dodgers' backup catcher, but the team still owes him $7 million over the next two years, doesn't seem eager to trade him, and No. 1 prospect Dalton Rushing is still some ways away from being major league ready, so odds are that Barnes will get 30-40 starts as the backstop to give Will Smith's knees a break every now and then. Taylor and Rojas have been and will remain key, versatile bench players for the Dodgers. Margot could also be another trade option before the season starts, but if he stays, he'll be a solid enough defensive option for the outfield.

Key Dodgers starting 2024 in minor leagues

• Michael Grove (P)
• Gus Varland (P)
• Daniel Hudson (P)
• Matt Gage (P)
• Landon Knack (P)
• Kyle Hurt (P)
• Andy Pages (OF)
• Miguel Vargas (UTIL)

The Dodgers have a wealth of pitching depth, which is why a number of bullpen arms who appeared throughout last season have to get the axe before Opening Day. The season is long, and a lot of these arms could very well be pulled up from the minors later in the summer, but for now the bullpen seems pretty set. However, as previously mentioned, Feyereisen and Stone could be at risk throughout spring training, with Grove, Varland, Hudson, and Gage all still in the mix for the last few spots on the 26-man.