Prior to the series opener of the exhibition Freeway Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Chris Taylor, Trayce Thompson and Julio Urias, and reassigned Bobby Wilson. The roster moves cemented the Dodgers’ roster, which will be officially announced ahead of Opening Day.
When Los Angeles broke camp they did so only facing a few final roster decisions. Among them was determining who would fill a utility role and serve as the primary backup to Corey Seager at shortstop.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles reassigned Charlie Culberson to Minor League camp. That left Hernandez and Taylor competing for one of the final bench spots. Hernandez was hit by a pitch on his right wrist and sent for x-rays on Monday, which delayed a decision.
He’s in Thursday’s lineup, which suggests the wrist is a non-issue. Hernandez had 10 hits, including three doubles, in 32 at-bats over 11 Cactus League games. He walked four times, compared to six strikeouts.
Taylor had a superior spring than Culberson and Hernandez, and began to gain experience in center field. Over 21 games he hit .370/.500/.522 with three doubles, two triples, three RBI and tied for the team lead with 11 walks.
Thompson was eased into Cactus League action, somewhat to his chagrin, as he recovered from multiple fractured vertebrae. He wound up batting .226/.351/.323 with one home run and three RBI in 11 games. Thompson asserted throughout the spring that he’s fully recovered from last year’s injury.
Although Urias reported to camp among the starters vying to complete the rotation, the Dodgers seemingly were intent on holding their young left-hander back. Urias made a pair of starts before shifting to the bullpen for two relief appearances.
He made a third and final start on Tuesday, and threw a total of 8.1 innings in five Cactus League games. He recorded nine strikeouts and walked four.
Wilson, signed to a Minor League contract in January, pressed Austin Barnes for the backup role more than may have been expected. Wilson hit .275/.326/.575 with four home runs and seven RBI. He presumably will serve as the starting catcher for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In addition to Hernandez, Scott Van Slyke has presumably received a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, after holding off Thompson.
