Dodgers Roster Bubble Projections: Who are the last three in, first three out?

Last Three on Dodgers Roster: James Outman, OF

We can't do it. We can't knock James Outman off the Dodgers' Opening Day roster in favor of less-impressive roster fodder. Move Chris Taylor to the infield if you have to. Use Miguel Rojas a little too often before the deadline, then eventually find a replacement. Whichever way the Dodgers have to bend to create infield depth isn't worth sending Outman to Triple-A in favor of an inferior player.

Outman's .895 OPS and pair of homers are no longer absurdly gaudy numbers, but it's clear he belongs. If the conversation is between Trayce Thompson's seniority and Outman's potential ... we posit they should just keep both players and let things run their natural course. He's too talented to be demoted. He's too talented to even be among the "last three in"! But here we are.

Last Three on Dodgers Roster: Michael Grove, RHP

At the moment, Ryan Pepiot seems like a safe bet for the rotation spot previously occupied by Tony Gonsolin, who's on the shelf with a more-serious-than-expected ankle issue suffered walking off the field.

That means that the bullpen swingman role he probably would've otherwise occupied is now open, and we're going with the high-upside Grove to fill it.

At the moment, conventional wisdom states Grove is probably the odd man out of the rotation and might be out of the bullpen conversation, too, superseded by two struggling veterans. In our estimation, Shelby Miller will also make the roster, thanks to his major-league deal. The other veteran? Well...