Even the back-to-back World Series champions begin 2026 with some issues to figure out, though some of their “high-class problems” are the kind other teams wish they had.
Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell reacts after walking the Toronto Blue Jays’ Davis Schneider during the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. After being plagued by a shoulder problem all season in 2025 and making just 11 regular-season starts in his first year with the Dodgers, Snell says he is taking things slowly this spring.
He might not be ready to start the season. likely to continue into the early weeks of the regular season, second base is the only position in the everyday lineup that is undecided. Edman’s absence will open up playing time for someone.show well enough in spring training they could fight their way into the Dodgers’ lineup to start the season. Kim will have to build his case despite being away from the team to participate in the World Baseball Classic., bringing him back after losing him to the Reds in a waiver claim in November. Rortvedt is set to make $1.25 million this season and he is out of options, meaning he can’t be sent down to the minors without first clearing waivers . Carrying three catchers would shorten the Dodgers’ other bench options and seems unlikely, leaving a choice between Rushing and Rortvedt as the backup to All-Star Will Smith.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts likes to call the pleasant dilemmas that come with a deep and talented roster “high-class problems.” That means making decisions like how to set the batting order with Kyle Tucker added to an already-loaded lineup., meaning Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman might move from the second and third spots they occupied for most of the past two seasons. Another “high-class problem” figures to develop as the spring progresses. After being plagued by a shoulder problem all season last year and making just 11 regular-season starts in his first year with the Dodgers,, other starters could be late in getting to full strength this spring. That might lead to openings in the season-opening rotation. The Dodgers are likely to go with a six-man rotation. They have plenty of options to choose from in filling any rotation spots withthe Dodgers have a dedicated closer for the first time since franchise saves leader Kenley Jansen left following the 2021 season. That leaves a group of relievers jockeying for other bullpen roles. Three seem like locks –Brock Stewart, non-roster invitee Ryder Ryan and any spillover from the starting rotation competing for two or three spots.Five players from the 40-man roster will leave camp in March to compete for their home countries in the World Baseball Classic – Smith ,and Yoshinobu Yamamoto , Diaz and Kim . Hopefully, all five will rejoin the Dodgers healthy but injuries suffered in the WBC have impacted the MLB season in the past. Diaz suffered a major knee injury while celebrating a win during the 2023 tournament and missed the entire MLB season with the New York Mets . Houston Astros infielder Jose Altuve suffered a fractured thumb during the same tournament. Back in 2013, Dodgers shortstop Hanley RamirezFirst gray wolf enters Los Angeles County in 100 years After housing nearly 300 people, Los Angeles officials to expand San Fernando Valley’s RV-to-Home project citywideNithya Raman’s entry tests Karen Bass from the left in Los Angeles mayoral raceLAPD on course to put drones in the sky as first respondersJuvenile hall depopulation nearly complete but likely won’t hit goal, says LA County probation chief
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