These 31-man roster additions could be x-factors for Dodgers in 2025

The Dodgers officially announced their 31-man roster for the Tokyo Series on Thursday, after the team had already gotten on a plane to make the trek over to Japan. Most of it is unsurprising; Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki will return to their home country and play in front of over 55,000 adoring fans at the Tokyo Dome, with Yamamoto and Sasaki starting the games against the Cubs' Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele.

However, there were a few lesser-known names on the travel roster. Andy Pages and Hunter Feduccia both broke the roster after their contributions last year, but pitchers Nick Frasso, Jack Dreyer, Luis García, and Matt Sauer also got taps.

The Dodgers and Cubs will each play two exhibition games apiece against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, but Frasso and Dreyer will get their MLB debuts if they appear in either of the games against the Cubs.

Frasso is a Dodgers top prospect who missed a chance at his debut last year after undergoing a labrum surgery in 2023, while Dreyer, unranked in the Dodgers' top 30, was the lone prospect the team saved from the Rule 5 draft.

García and Sauer were both unlikely veteran options for the Dodgers to carry on the travel roster, but all four could factor into the bullpen later this season if they can impress in Tokyo.

4 unlikely Dodgers included on 31-man travel roster could be factors in bullpen discussions this season

It's likely that García's and Sauer's inclusions were a direct result of Evan Phillips' and Michael Kopech's injuries, which will keep them off the roster for the Dodgers' stateside Opening Day. Still, with Tony Gonsolin hurt again and Bobby Miller demoted, there are three potential spots in the bullpen for García, Sauer, Frasso, Dreyer, or Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski to fill. Dave Roberts has already said there's a good chance Ben Casparius, who pitched in the NLCS and World Series last year, will make the Opening Day roster.

Frasso and Dreyer have clearly intrigued the Dodgers; García and Sauer have the benefit of experience; and Knack and Wrobleski could have earned extra looks after promotions to the majors last season.

The bullpen battle is coming all the way down to the wire. The Dodgers will still have a few spring training games against the Angels to evaluate when they get back to the States, but the Tokyo Series could be the make-or-break moments for these players just on the fringes and looking to earn their keep.