Top 7 Storylines to Watch at Dodgers Spring Training
After completing the best offseason in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers are prepared for an exciting 2025 season. Listen to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain share his top seven Dodgers storylines fans should watch heading into the preseason below.
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1. Shohei Ohtani On the Mound
Ever since the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to a decade-long deal, fans have been eager to see the two-way player take the mound. A shoulder injury restricted the 2024 NL MVP to being a designated hitter last season. However, Ohtani is reportedly healthy and expected to make his pitching debut with the Dodgers in 2025.
2. The First Look At Roki Sasaki
Starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is the newest Japanese-born phenom heading to the Major Leagues. Garnering attention from nearly every MLB team, the 23-year-old ultimately decided to sign with the Dodgers. Sasaki’s rookie season will be a big storyline to watch, not just for Dodgers fans but baseball fans as a whole.
3. Dave Roberts’ Contract Extension
Manager Dave Roberts is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed in March 2022. Despite coming off a World Series championship season, Baseball America’s 2024 MLB Manager of the Year is still waiting for a contract extension. Contract negotiations have already started but fans may be interested in the price the front office is willing to pay for Roberts.
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4. The Dodgers’ Closer Situation
Dave Roberts recently said reliever Tanner Scott would serve as the Dodgers’ main closer in 2025. However, no Dodgers’ relief pitcher earned more than 20 saves last season, as multiple closers were used throughout the season. Los Angeles also secured lots of talent to the bullpen this offseason, including Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen. Therefore, McKain theorizes that many relievers will have opportunities to serve as closers.
5. Who Will Play Second Base?
Gavin Lux was the Dodgers’ regular second baseman last season. But, the franchise traded Lux to the Cincinnati Reds in January, which leaves an open spot at second base. A few days before the trade, the Dodgers signed utility Hyeseong Kim. The South Korean free agent will likely play second base but the Dodgers also have outfielders Chris Taylor and Tommy Edman listed as options on their MLB depth chart.
6. Mookie Betts’ Return to Shortstop
The Dodgers tried to transition Mookie Betts into a shortstop last season. However, the six-time Gold Glove outfielder’s defensive prowess did not translate at shortstop. After recovering from a left-hand fracture in August, Betts was moved back to outfield for the remainder of the season. Los Angeles is giving Betts another go at shortstop in 2025, presenting a redemption opportunity for the eight-time All-Star.
7. The Comeback of a Trio of Starting Pitchers
Starting pitchers Bobby Miller, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin will make their returns to the Major Leagues in 2025. Miller, who was a first-round draft pick in 2020, struggled to replicate his rookie season success and ended the year back in the minor leagues. Gonsolin and May were both sidelined with injuries last season but will be healthy this season. All three starting pitchers will have eyes on them when they rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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