The 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster has all but officially been set through deduction from recent Spring Training cuts and manager Dave Roberts confirming Edwin Rios will be among the 12 position players with the team to begin the season.
“We’re very excited about that,” Roberts said. “He was thrilled. I called him when he was with his wife at their house, so he was really excited. He’s earned it.”
Roberts added all position players who will be on the Dodgers Opening Day roster had been notified as of Monday afternoon. Thus the final decision has boiled down to how the bullpen will be finalized.
“I said we’ve got 16 (pitchers) and 12 (position players) but as far as the last spot in the ‘pen, we’re kind of figuring it out,” Roberts explained.
Locks for the Dodgers bullpen figure to be Tyler Anderson, Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson, Craig Kimbrel, Evan Phillips, David Price and Blake Treinen. Victor Gonzalez and Alex Vesia appear to have spots on the Opening Day roster as well.
The same can likely be assumed for Justin Bruihl, who impressed after making his MLB debut last season. That would leave the Dodgers down to deciding between Garrett Cleavinger and Mitch White as the final relief pitcher.
Both certainly have a case, but White is capable of providing more length and also helps balance a bullpen that already is taking shape to be heavy on left-handed pitchers.
Following the Dodgers’ loss to the L.A. Angels on Monday night, Roberts intimated White holds the inside track to be with the team to start the season.
2022 Dodgers Opening Day roster prediction
Starting pitchers (5): Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias
Relief pitchers (11): Tyler Anderson, Justin Bruihl, Victor Gonzalez, Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson, Craig Kimbrel, Evan Phillips, David Price, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Mitch White
Catchers (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
Infielders (6): Hanser Alberto, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Edwin Rios, Justin Turner, Trea Turner
Outfielders (2): Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger
Infielders/Outfielders (2): Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor
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