Dodgers Face Tough Roster Decisions Ahead of Kershaw’s Season Opener

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to start Clayton Kershaw on Saturday night as he begins his 18th Major League season. The matchup is highly anticipated as Kershaw faces off against former teammate Tyler Anderson, currently with a record of 2-1 and a 2.58 ERA this season.

The Dodgers are eager to bounce back after a disappointing loss on Friday night against the Colorado Rockies, where their offense was stymied by Jack Kockanowicz. The team has shown promise recently, particularly with players like Max Muncy, who is hitting .375 over his last seven games, and Michael Conforto, who has raised his performance to .348 in the same span.

Hyeseong Kim, recently called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, has made a significant impact since joining the roster. Although his streak of reaching base in nine consecutive plate appearances ended on Friday, he captured attention with seven hits, including his first MLB home run and five runs scored.

As the Dodgers prepare for upcoming lineup changes, they are expecting the return of Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez soon. These additions have raised questions regarding who will be cut from the roster. James Outman, struggling with a .125 batting average and only two hits in his last 19 at-bats, appears to be the most likely candidate to be demoted.

On the other hand, long-time veterans Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas are also under scrutiny. Taylor has struggled with consistency this season, while Rojas, despite having a .267 batting average, has been invaluable as a clubhouse leader and mentor, particularly to Mookie Betts.

Additionally, the Dodgers made headlines this week by designating Austin Barnes for assignment, marking a significant shift in their roster. Barnes, who had a .214 batting average and spent 11 seasons with the team, was let go to make room for Dalton Rushing, the team’s top prospect. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained that it was time for Rushing to step up, given the team’s competitive landscape.

“Rush has obviously been on our radar for a long time,” Friedman stated. “We felt like now is the right time to give him that opportunity, and to learn things about him at the major-league level.”

Rushing made his MLB debut on Thursday against the Athletics, recording two hits and a walk. The Dodgers’ roster decisions will likely continue to evolve as they weigh the need for experienced leadership against the performance of younger players.