Over the past week Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided bits of information pertaining to the club’s roster for their National League Division Series matchup with the Washington Nationals. The players Roberts named, coupled with predictable inclusions, left only a few remaining questions.
Ahead of the Dodgers’ first workout for the postseason, Roberts filled in the remaining pieces to the puzzle. In what’s the biggest surprise, the Dodgers will carry a third catcher in Austin Barnes for the NLDS.
That Barnes is also capable of playing second and third base certainly aided his cause. What’s more, Roberts indicated the decision will allow the club with the option to use Carlos Ruiz as a pinch-hitter without losing a backup catcher.
Despite a strong showing after returning from elbow surgery, Alex Wood is not expected be included on the 25-man roster when it’s formally submitted Friday morning.
Neither are J.P. Howell, Rob Segedin or Brock Stewart. However, the quartet of Howell, Segedin, Stewart and Wood will travel with the Dodgers to Washington D.C.
In theory, either could be active for the NLDS in the event of an injury prior to or during the best-of-five series. Kiké Hernandez is among a group of players who will be sent to Camelback Ranch to “stay hot,” as Roberts put it.
Roberts did not rule out the possibility of Hernandez being part of the active roster in the event the Dodgers advance to the NL Championship Series. The spot left void by Hernandez seemingly is filled by Charlie Culberson.
Just as they did for the 2013 and 2015 NLDS, Los Angeles will carry 14 position players and 11 pitchers. “It was probably the most challenging roster construction for the playoffs that I’ve ever been a part of,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.
“I think that’s a testament to the depth that we have and number of different guys that contributed throughout the year. We feel like the group that we put together matches up really well against Washington.”
Listed alphabetically in each subgroup, below is a complete breakdown of Dodgers 25-man roster for 2016 NLDS:
Starting pitchers (4): Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias
Relief pitchers (7): Luis Avilan, Pedro Baez, Joe Blanton, Grant Dayton, Josh Fields, Kenley Jansen, Ross Stripling
Catchers (3): Austin Barnes, Yasmani Grandal, Carlos Ruiz
Infielders (5): Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chase Utley
Outfielders (6): Andre Ethier, Howie Kendrick, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Josh Reddick, Andrew Toles
