The Los Angeles Dodgers signed top free agent Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract last month, who is set to join an already star-studded lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Will Smith, among others.
At the time of his signing, manager Dave Roberts said Tucker would likely hit in the top third of the Dodgers lineup this season.
Roberts has shed more light on what the Dodgers lineup could potentially look like, with Shohei Ohtani returning to the leadoff spot and Will Smith batting fifth.
“You know what? I’ve thought about it,” Roberts said of the 2026 Dodgers lineup. “I’m not emboldened to how we’re going to do it. I do feel great about having Shohei lead off. I do feel great about having Will in the five. And then after that, I’m going to kind of read and react.
“But the left-handedness, I can certainly see Mookie in the three, but I’m kind of going to see how it goes as we get to spring.”
Based on Roberts’ comments, the first five spots of the Dodgers lineup could be occupied by Ohtani, Tucker, Betts, Freeman and Smith in that order.
With Ohtani and Tucker being left-handed, it makes sense for Freeman to bat cleanup between right-handers Betts and Smith.
Smith wasn’t tied down to one spot in the Dodgers lineup last season as he batted anywhere from Nos. 2-6. He is coming off another All-Star campaign that saw him hit 296/.404/.497 with 20 doubles, 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 110 games.
Smith would go on to deliver one of the biggest hits in Dodgers franchise history with his game-winning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series.
As for Ohtani, he was locked into the leadoff spot for much of the season, except when Roberts tried Betts in the leadoff role to try and spark a breakout. Ohtani later returned to his leadoff role, and finished the postseason there.
Will Smith among Dodgers playing in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Smith is among the Dodgers participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and he will represent Team USA. Clayton Kershaw, now retired, is also set to pitch in the tournament for the first time in his career.
Meanwhile, Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are returning to Team Japan as the country looks to defend its title. Edwin Díaz is also set to pitch for Team Puerto Rico after injuring his leg during the tournament in 2023, and Hyeseong Kim will suit up for Team Korea.
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