Just one more nap until pitchers and catchers officially report to Dodgers spring training. Many of them are already in training camp, eager to win their third consecutive World Series ring.
One guy returning is our favorite Honeybun, Evan Phillips. Phillips was not tendered in November, six months after he had Tommy John surgery. The quiet, right-handed relief pitcher was dominant before surgery, especially when hitting right-handed. He had a 0.00 ERA in 12 games in five different series in the postseason. Fabian Ardaya has all the details here.
advertise
If he returns to his previous dominance, he’ll join a slightly revamped bullpen now with Edwin Diaz as the closer. When Phillips last pitched for the Dodgers, the team primarily took closer games by committee. Phillips is expected to join the team at some point this summer.
Unfortunately, Ben Rortvedt is the catcher who will not be participating in spring training for the Dodgers at this time. Benny Biceps had a pretty eventful offseason, being DFA by the Dodgers, claimed by the Cincinnati Reds, DFAed by them again, and then claimed again by the Dodgers. Hopefully no one claims Roetveit this time and he can return to Oklahoma City to gain some receiving depth.
Bill Plunkett of the OC Register has some questions for the Dodgers as spring training is about to begin – who will be the primary second baseman, how will the Dodgers handle their “senior” issues, who will fill the bullpen, where will Keck be, and how will the WBC impact the lineup?
That’s my simple answer to all of these questions – it will work itself out, especially the bullpen and “advanced” issues. Without casting too many jinxes, the Dodgers always had plenty of pitching to start the season, and by midseason their original March plans were out the window. (Personally, I don’t think this is more vicious than Plunkett pointing out which players in the WBC have been injured in the past).
advertise
As for Quique Hernandez rejoining the team, we all know that’s going to happen. Since he underwent elbow surgery in the offseason, he won’t be playing with the team anytime soon even if he’s on the roster. Things need to work themselves out, as they always do.
