Three burning Dodgers questions as spring training opens

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Shohei Ohtani hoisted a medicine ball inside the Camelback Ranch weight room on Wednesday, a small but symbolic act that underscored the most compelling subplot of Los Angeles’ bid for a third consecutive World Series title: for the first time since signing him before the 2024 season, the Dodgers will open a campaign with a fully healthy two-way superstar. Yet the path from February workouts to October glory is clouded by three pressing uncertainties that will dominate Dave Roberts’ spring.

1. How will the Dodgers safeguard Ohtani’s return to the mound? Ohtani has already thrown bullpen sessions and will face live hitters before departing for the World Baseball Classic, where he will hit for Team Japan but not pitch. Once the tournament begins, the club loses direct oversight of his throwing schedule. Manager Dave Roberts reiterated that Ohtani will not work on a conventional five-day cycle; instead, the right-hander could see six-to-eight days between regular-season starts, at least through April. Pitching coach Mark Prior conceded the club “can’t just map out the next four weeks,” adding that Ohtani’s willingness to pitch on short or extended rest gives the staff flexibility it will need while he is away.

2. Who fills the innings gap behind the front five? With Ohtani on a monitored build-up, Blake Snell’s Opening Day availability unclear, Tyler Glasnow coming off an 18-start year, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki facing WBC-related restrictions, and the schedule offering four off days in the first four weeks, Roberts is openly considering a six-man rotation or hybrid spot-starter model. Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, Justin Wrobleski and River Ryan will receive extended Cactus League auditions as the front office searches for early-season bulk innings.

3. How will the reconfigured lineup protect Freddie Freeman? Mookie Betts could slide to the No. 3 slot, Will Smith may drop to fifth and newcomer Trenton Tucker is penciled in to bat second or third and play right field. That leaves Freeman as the probable cleanup hitter, with Teoscar Hernández sixth and Max Muncy seventh. Tommy Edman’s recovery from offseason ankle surgery clouds the nine-spot; if he opens on the IL, Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim could see regular time at second, alongside utility option Miguel Rojas.

On the bullpen front, Carlos Díaz and his 253 career saves inherit the ninth inning after Tanner Scott’s inaugural season in Los Angeles fell short of expectations. Scott will now set up Díaz, while a healthy Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia and delayed-returnee Ben Casparius give the Dodgers a deep late-game reservoir.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called the current collection of arms “the best and deepest starting rotation I’ve ever been around,” but conceded the spring will be spent “assessing where we’re at” in terms of workload and usage. With pitchers and catchers officially reporting Friday and the first full-squad workout set for Monday, the defending champions have six weeks to turn those assessments into answers.