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What are the odds these 5 fringe Dodgers actually make the NLDS roster?

There's still a chance.
ByKatrina Stebbins
Colorado Rockies v Los Angeles Dodgers
Colorado Rockies v Los Angeles Dodgers | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/GettyImages

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren't counting anyone out when it comes to their rounding out their NLDS roster. On Thursday, Blake Williams of Dodger Blue reported that Ben Rortvedt, Alex Freeland, Emmet Sheehan, and Bobby Miller all had lockers in the Dodgers' clubhouse.

Josue De Paula and Hyeseong Kim have already been known considerations for the team; De Paula as a bat-only bench option and Kim as a runner or late-inning defensive substitution. De Paula's status has not been confirmed, but it seems that the Dodgers will bring him to the NLDS, provided they can plead their case to the league well enough.

That leaves five players who are still battling. Rortvedt could take over behind Will Smith instead of Hunter Feduccia, the Freeland vs. Kim debate never died, and Sheehan and Miller will be fighting anywhere between four and five other right-handed relievers. There's also a chance that a few of them are actually fighting for consideration on potential NLCS and World Series rosters, if the Dodgers face underperformance or an injury to anyone in the existing core.

Having a large contigent together and fostering a little healthy competition is good for morale, but do any of these players actually have a shot at making the roster?

Ben Rortvedt, Alex Freeland, Emmet Sheehan, Bobby Miller enter Dodgers' NLDS conversation

We'll give Kim and Rortvedt the best odds, even if they'll only be used sparingly. Both were on all of LA's October rosters last year, and the Dodgers tend to prefer sticking to what they know. Kim has been working out with the team longer than any of the newer entrants, and he's by far their most effective runner.

For Freeland, this might be a case of the Dodgers wanting to get yet another look. As long as he and Kim are both in the organization, they seemed destined to fight for as much playing time as the Dodgers can make available to them.

When it comes to Sheehan and Miller, it's even more of a longshot. Roki Sasaki, Evan Phillips, Edwin Díaz, Edgardo Henriquez, and Brock Stewart are the other righties under consideration. Díaz seems incredibly certain of his inclusion on the roster, even if he might not deserve it, and the Dodgers are counting on Henriquez being healthy enough to join.

The Dodgers are keeping both fans and the Atlanta Braves on their toes until rosters officially drop, but it's more likely than not that they won't hit us with any real surprises.

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