The Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster for the 2023 season is comprised of the expected 13 pitchers and 13 position players, but did feature a surprise as Michael Grove earned a spot instead of Ryan Pepiot.
Heading into the last week of Spring Training games, the Dodgers needed to decide on a fifth member of the starting rotation, final bench player and one relief pitcher. Pepiot initially secured the final spot in the Opening Day rotation over Grove — an opportunity created when Tony Gonsolin suffered a left ankle sprain.
However, the Dodgers placed Pepiot on the 15-day injured list because of a left oblique strain. He last pitched in the finale of the Freeway Series.
Meanwhile, James Outman also secured the final position player spot over the likes of Steven Duggar, Luke Williams and Bradley Zimmer. He is expected to be part of a platoon in center field with Trayce Thompson.
Andre Jackson earned the final spot in the bullpen. Although he is traditionally a starter, the right-hander exclusively pitched out of the bullpen this spring and will be the team’s multi-inning reliever to start the season.
Jackson, Outman and Pepiot are among six Dodgers who are on an Opening Day roster for the first time in their career. They are joined by Yency Almonte, Phil Bickford and Miguel Vargas.
“I talked to James and told him he was on the team, and as he said, it was a surreal moment for him. That was great. I think Vargas, I sort of maybe dropped the ball a little bit,” Roberts said with a laugh.
“It was assumed he was going to be on the team, so I didn’t feel the need to call him. So he was asking what his status is going to the Freeway Series. So I said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be starting at second base this year. Congratulations.’
“He just kind of said, ‘Great. Thanks.’ Andre and Ryan, had different conversations with those guys. I think they were both in shock and very excited. They handled it really well. I’m very excited for those guys.”
2023 Dodgers Opening Day roster (players listed alphabetically)
Starting pitchers (5): Michael Grove, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, Noah Syndergaard, Julio Urías
Relief pitchers (8): Yency Almonte, Phil Bickford, Caleb Ferguson, Brusdar Graterol, Andre Jackson, Shelby Miller, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia,
Catchers (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
Infielders (4): Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, Miguel Vargas
Outfielders (5): Mookie Betts, Jason Heyward, James Outman, David Peralta, Trayce Thompson
Infielders/Outfielders (1): Chris Taylor
Designated hitter (1): J.D. Martinez
Injured list (9): Walker Buehler (60-day IL), J.P. Feyereisen (60-day), Tony Gonsolin (15-day), Daniel Hudson (15-day IL), Gavin Lux (60-day), Jimmy Nelson (15-day), Ryan Pepiot (15-day), Alex Reyes, (15-day), Blake Treinen (60-day)
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