The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned DJ Peters to Minor League camp prior to Friday’s game against the Oakland Athletics, marking a fourth instance of the club carrying out roster cuts. L.A. now has 35 players remaining in big league camp.
They will finish the spring with that many until needing to finalize an Opening Day roster next week. “We’re going to kind of run these guys out there through that Freeway Series and then make a decision then,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after a loss to the Oakland Athletics.
He added the team plans to carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players on their active roster to start the season. The Dodgers are down to deciding on final relief pitcher and bench spot.
Peters presumably could see some action Saturday as most regulars will be making their way back to California. He’s appeared in 20 Cactus League games thus far, batting .235/.366/.441 with one double, two home runs, four RBI, six walks and 17 strikeouts.
Peters showed improved plate discipline early on, but then had separate streaks of three and seven games with at least one strikeout. Not included in either of those stretches but most recently was his Spring-Training high three strikeouts on March 22.
“Definitely got to be consistent out there. That’s definitely no secret,” Peters said of what’s required to make his MLB debut. “Definitely trying to work on that this spring and worked on it during the offseason as well.
“Just want to be consistent, see the ball, hit the ball, put the ball in play hard and good things will happen. I hit the ball hard, I hit it far. I want to be a little more consistent.”
Roberts praised Peters on multiple occasions throughout the spring and expects the slugging outfielder to make his debut this season.
Dodgers roster cuts
The first round of Dodgers Spring Training roster cuts saw pitchers Gerardo Carrillo, Andre Jackson, Edwin Uceta and Alex Vesia, along with catcher Keibert Ruiz, and outfielders Zach Reks and Luke Raley, optioned to Minor League camp.
Catcher Hunter Feduccia; pitchers Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Michael Grove, Nolan Long, Jose Martinez, Robinson Ortiz, Ryan Pepiot, Gus Varland and Kendall Williams; infielders Jacob Amaya, Michael Busch, Kody Hoese, Miguel Vargas, Devin Mann, Leonel Valera and Omar Estevez; and outfielders James Outman, Andy Pages and Ryan Noda were all re-assigned on the same day.
The second wave saw Garrett Cleavinger getting optioned, and James Pazos, Nick Robertson, Mike Kickham, Tim Federowicz, Matt Davidson and Rangel Ravelo re-assigned to Minor League camp.
Sheldon Neuse was optioned the day before Peters.
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