The Los Angeles Dodgers’ potential Opening Day roster is beginning to take shape, as manager Dave Roberts all but confirmed Matt Beaty will earn the final spot on the bench.
Roberts also noted that Keibert Ruiz is a long shot to break camp with the team as they are currently set at the catcher position.
Looking at the pitching staff, the Dodgers still have some decisions to make, particularly as it pertains to the bullpen. The club hasn’t seen Brusdar Graterol pitch in a Cactus League game this spring due to unspecified circumstances that prevented him from throwing over the offseason.
As a result, the right-hander fell behind in camp and hasn’t even faced hitters yet. However, Roberts is holding out hope he will be able to do so.
“I do think Brusdar will face some hitters, but I don’t see him getting into a Cactus League game,” Roberts said.
Facing batters was said to be the last major hurdle for Graterol to clear before pitching in a Cactus League game. But with only a handful of games left, he most likely won’t have the opportunity to do so.
Given where things stand, Graterol faces steep odds of making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. “Anything’s possible, but if we don’t see him in a Cactus League game, then it’s very unlikely that he’ll break with us,” Roberts said.
If Graterol isn’t included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, the plan for him will be to stay at Camelback Ranch. “We’ll have our alt site set up and a lot of players here,” Roberts said. “Pitchers still facing hitters and hitters still taking at-bats.”
The Dodgers held their alternate site at USC during the shortened 2020 season, but with the Trojans resuming play this year, they will now keep players at their Spring Training facility.
Joe Kelly could be in similar situation as Graterol
Another notable reliever who has yet to appear in a Cactus League game is Joe Kelly. He battled through soreness and potentially some form of injury since playing catch during the first workout for pitchers and catchers.
Roberts was not ready to rule out Kelly from being ready for Opening Day as of two weeks ago, but that likely has changed with the start of the regular season just nine days away.
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