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Dodgers Set 25-Man Opening Day Roster

By Scott Andes

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The Dodgers finalized their 25-man roster for opening day on Saturday evening. There were a few surprises, but overall it was somewhat what we started to expect over the last couple of weeks of spring training.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The big question mark was the bullpen, which was utterly horrendous last year. The Dodgers had a hodge podge of non roster invitees competing for the final seven spots in the bullpen. In the end, the Dodger brain trust went with youth over experience. None of the veteran non roster guys made the club. Instead the Dodgers chose rookies Yimi Garcia, and Pedro Baez over more established hurlers like David Aardsma, Sergio Santos, and David Huff.

The Dodgers won’t need a fifth starter until April 14, so they have decided to carry an extra position player instead. That means Darwin Barney gets saved, for now. The club picked Barney over newly acquired utility guy Kiki Hernandez.

As for starting pitching depth, the club just acquired veterans Freddy Garcia, and Scott Baker. They also still have Joe Wieland, and other depth pieces like Mike Bolsinger, and rookie Zach Lee. 

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    • Andre Ethier did not get traded, and will start the season on the bench. Rookie Joc Pederson is expected to be the club’s starting center fielder, and once again Scott Van Slyke, and magic man Justin Turner will serve as the club’s right handed power/lefty mashers off the bench. Heisey is apparently getting optioned, but I am still unsure as to how he has options left.

    The Bullpen

    J.P. Howell, Chris Hatcher, Joel Peralta, Juan Nicasio, Paco Rodriguez, Yimi Garcia, Pedro Baez

    Rotation

    Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson

    Position Players

    Infielders

    Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins, Juan Uribe

    Outfielders

    Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, Carl Crawford

    The Bench

    Infielders

    Justin Turner, Alex Guerrero, Darwin Barney,

    Outfielders

    Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke

    Catchers A.J. Ellis, Yasmani Grandal

    Disabled List

    Kenley Jansen, Brandon League, Brandon Beachy, Chris Withrow Hyun-Jin Ryu

    Home/Clayton Kershaw