Projecting Dodgers' 2026 bullpen as Dave Roberts refuses to rule anyone out

The Dodgers' Opening Day pitching staff should be completely settled by now, but Dave Roberts is keeping his options open.

Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski are both treating their spring training as starters. That's not a surprise for Sheehan, who projects to start the year in the rotation while Blake Snell is on the shelf, but it is for Wrobleski, who most fans and analysts figured would move into a bullpen role this year.

It's not only him; River Ryan is a prime candidate for a rotation or swingman spot and has been having a great spring. But what about any of the other young pitchers who are still standing in Dodgers camp? Edgardo Henriquez, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack, even Bobby Miller?

The Dodgers' excess is a luxury. But with only four relievers actually guaranteed salaries above league minimum, who else fills out the bullpen?

Dodgers' competitive bullpen battle could leave some notable young pitchers out by Opening Day

1. Edwin Díaz (CL)
2. Alex Vesia
3. Tanner Scott
4. Blake Treinen
5. Will Klein
6. River Ryan
7. Justin Wrobleski
8. Jack Dreyer
9. Ben Casparius

Notable exclusions: Edgardo Henriquez, Kyle Hurt, Paul Gervase, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone (IL), Brusdar Graterol (IL), Brock Stewart (IL)

None of former top prospect starts Hurt, Knack, or Miller have been given the same grace as Wrobleski, but it makes sense. Hurt hasn't pitched in a major league game since April 2024, Knack has struggle in both a starting and bullpen role, and Miller has had some infamous blowups at the major league level (and didn't look great in the minors either). He's also dealing with shoulder issues.

Still, none have made great enough strides in spring training to really make an impression on the Dodgers' staff. Klein, Dreyer, and Casparius are all far more battle-tested. Henriquez is a wild card as a pitcher capable of throwing absolute heat, but his unsightly 18.00 ERA in three minor league innings suggests that he's got a lot he still needs to work on.

If we had to guess now, we'd say that Wrobleski doesn't make it into the rotation, and that the Dodgers decide to use Ryan as a swingman rather than a straightforward sixth starter. Gavin Stone could've been part of that equation if it wasn't for a "setback" with his shoulder that shut him down from throwing for a few weeks.

But the Dodgers can stow all of the stragglers away in Triple-A to be called up if needed. Knowing the Dodgers, they will almost certainly be needed.