The Los Angeles Dodgers have set their 2018 Spring Training report dates, as pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Camelback Ranch on Tuesday Feb. 13, with the group holding their first workout the following day.
Position players then report on Feb. 18, and the first full-squad workout will be held Feb. 19. The Dodgers open their Cactus League schedule against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, Feb. 23.
When the Dodgers report for Spring Training it will mark the beginning of the long journey that they hope will lead back to the World Series.
The Dodgers will be at a disadvantage in 2018, though, as because they played all the way into November, their offseason is shorter than all the other teams.
Manager Dave Roberts, who is returning for his third season, plans to combat that by easing some of his veterans into things to limit their workload during the spring.
After an outstanding season in which the Dodgers won 104 games and reached their first World Series since 1988, Roberts believes they are in a better position going into next season as they return their core nucleus of players.
There will be some position battles this spring, barring any offseason signings or trades, as the starting rotation will feature Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Alex Wood, with Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler, Brock Stewart and Trevor Oaks among those battling for the final two spots.
There is also an outfield spot up for grabs, with Joc Pederson, Andrew Toles and Alex Verdugo figuring into the picture in left field. And then, of course, the starting catcher job needs to be solidified, as Austin Barnes replaced Yasmani Grandal as the starter during the postseason.
There is also still plenty to be sorted out in the bullpen.
The Dodgers complete 2018 Spring Training schedule can be found here.
