Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers Spring Training: Dave Roberts Believes Up To 9 Pitchers Are Candidates For Spots In Opening Day Rotation
Dodgers NewsSpring Training

Dodgers Spring Training: Dave Roberts Believes Up To 9 Pitchers Are Candidates For Spots In Opening Day Rotation

Matt Borelli
February 17, 2020
3 Min Read
Dave Roberts, 2020 Spring Training
Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers accomplished their biggest goal of the offseason by acquiring Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox, successfully adding another frontline player to an already deep roster.

David Price’s inclusion in the deal is notable as well, as his presence adds some stability to a starting rotation that lost a few notable contributors this winter.

Hyun-Jin Ryu turned a career 2019 campaign into a lucrative four-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, while Rich Hill departed for the Minnesota Twins on a one-year pact filled with a plethora of incentives.

The Dodgers also traded Kenta Maeda to the Minnesota Twins in a deal that netted them pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, Luke Raley and the 67th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Even with all of the departures this offseason, the Dodgers still have more candidates than spots to fill in their starting rotation. “There’s competition,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

“You’re looking at eight arms, possibly nine, that really can make a case. Right now, it’s just kind of let these guys do their thing. I just know we have eight, nine guys that are very, very confident in that role.”

With Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Price entrenched at the top of the starting rotation, the fourth spot is expected to go to Julio Urias. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently suggested the possibility at the annual FanFest event.

As for the final spot, it will ultimately come down to who shines the most in Spring Training. Among those being considered are free-agent signings Jimmy Nelson and Alex Wood, and holdovers Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Ross Stripling.

Nelson and Wood are each coming off injury-shortened 2019 campaigns, but have proven in the past they can be effective when healthy. Though, Nelson was just slowed in camp by a groin issue, and May is also dealing with a minor injury.

Gonsolin, May and Stripling were among the Dodgers’ most versatile pitchers last season, showing a capability to either start or relieve. The candidates that miss out on the fifth spot in the starting rotation will presumably shift to relief roles and further lengthen what should be an improved bullpen this season.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:2020 Spring TrainingDave RobertsLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Stan Kasten: Dodgers Had Good Season But ‘Not What We Wanted’

November 4, 2021
November 4, 2021
Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Cody Bellinger and Alex Verdugo during batting practice at Dodger Stadium
Dodgers News

Dodgers Injury Update: Dave Roberts Considers It ‘Very Unlikely’ Alex Verdugo Returns During 2019 Postseason

October 4, 2019
October 4, 2019
Willy Adames, Christian Yelich
FeaturedGame Central

Recap: Chris Taylor Makes Game-Saving Catch For Dodgers, But Craig Kimbrel Blows Save Against Brewers

August 16, 2022
August 16, 2022
Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals celebrate after eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2019 NLDS
Dodgers NewsMLB News

Nationals Personnel Member Deemed NLDS Win Over Dodgers One ‘Against A Team Of Computers’ & ‘Good For Baseball’

October 11, 2019
October 11, 2019

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어