While the 2020 season was a memorable one for the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning their first World Series since 1988, the focus now shifts to this year with pitchers and catchers reporting to Camelback Ranch for the start of Spring Training.
The offseason was a good one for the Dodgers as they were able to bring back both Justin Turner and Blake Treinen while also adding Trevor Bauer to their rotation, making them the heavy favorites to repeat in 2021.
While winning the World Series is the ultimate goal, it takes a long journey to get there, starting with Spring Training to prepare for Opening Day of a grueling 162-game season.
“I think the thing for all of us is to get back into the swing of things, limit injury and slowly kind of get our feet under us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the early stages of camp.
“I think nowadays, guys are more prepared in Spring Training, but I still think that understanding we have six weeks to go, so we’ll slow play guys and make sure guys don’t push too hard too fast.”
In addition to having a roster filled with star power, the Dodgers also have a ton of depth and versatility, which will help them be able to overcome any injury throughout the course of a season of normal length.
Considering the 2020 campaign was only 60 games, the Dodgers will have to be cautious with their pitchers this year to avoid injury with such a significant increase. That starts during Spring Training and as Roberts alluded to, it seems that some pitchers will be slowp-layed to ensure they remain healthy while getting built up.
Jansen still Dodgers’ closer
Going into the spring, one of the biggest question marks on the Dodgers’ roster was the closer role after Kenley Jansen faltered last October and was essentially replaced.
Roberts put a quick end to all of those questions though, reiterating Jansen is his Opening Day closer.
The decision doesn’t come as a huge surprise, although it does seem that the leash will be shorter this year compared to seasons past as Jansen gets set to enter the final year of his contract.
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