With pitchers and catchers reporting to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially began their work to defend last season’s World Series title.
Doing so won’t be easy, but perhaps no team has ever been more well-equipped to repeat as champions than the Dodgers after adding Trevor Bauer to their rotation during the offseason while also retaining other key players Justin Turner and Blake Treinen.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation is now arguably the best in baseball with Bauer joining the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price, Julio Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin.
The key to getting through a full 162-game season will be using that depth to keep everyone fresh and healthy, and that starts during Spring Training.
Kershaw was among those to throw his first bullpen session on Saturday afternoon after reporting a day late due to weather issues in Dallas.
First bullpen of the year for Kersh. pic.twitter.com/CBCGxXKqmH
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 20, 2021
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on what he saw from Kershaw in his first bullpen and what the plan will be for him moving forward. “He threw a ‘pen today; I think his standard 34-pitch. He’s got it pretty much down to a science,” Roberts said.
“Used all his pitch mix: the fastball, breaking ball, mixed in the changeup, the slider. It was good. I think a great first day. He felt good coming out of it. To get him back into rhythm was a good thing. Today being Saturday, he’ll get a couple days off and should have another ‘pen on Tuesday.”
Kershaw is coming off an outstanding 2020 season in which his velocity increased and the fact that he remains in good health is encouraging.
With Bauer now in the mix, that should take some pressure off Kershaw, who in the past has often had to carry the Dodgers’ rotation for stretches of the season.
Roberts impressed with Urias and Gonzalez
In addition to Kershaw, Roberts was also impressed with the first bullpen sessions he saw from two other lefties in Julio Urias and Victor Gonzalez.
“They both came into camp in great shape, very determined, and their bullpens reflected that. They were both very professional and really good. They’re right on track to help us again. Couldn’t be more pleased,” Roberts said.
The expectation is that Urias will start the season as a member of rotation.
Gonzalez, on the other hand, figures to be the Dodgers’ high-leverage lefty out of the bullpen as he gets set to enter his first full season at the Major League level.
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