The Los Angeles Dodgers made their first wave of Spring Training roster cuts on Monday morning, with 28 players removed from the Major League clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. Manager Dave Roberts indicated last week a significant number of players were due to be sent to the Minor League side.
“I think it’s important for the focus to get a little bit more narrow as far as numbers and guys to go to the other side and get their repetitions,” Roberts explained.
Pitchers Gerardo Carrillo, Andre Jackson, Edwin Uceta and Alex Vesia, along with outfielders Zach Reks and Luke Raley, and catcher Keibert Ruiz were optioned.
The likes of catcher Hunter Feduccia; pitchers Josiah Gray, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Michael Grove, Nolan Long, Jose Martinez, Robinson Ortiz, Ryan Pepiot, Gus Varland and Kendall Williams; infielders Jacob Amaya, Michael Busch, Kody Hoese, Miguel Vargas, Devin Mann, Leonel Valera and Omar Estevez; and outfielders James Outman, Andy Pages and Ryan Noda were re-assigned to Minor League camp.
The difference in the designation is players who are on the 40-man roster get optioned, while those who are not get re-assigned.
Vesia being part of the group suggests he is unlikely to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster as one of multiple left-handed relief pitchers the club intends to carry.
Each of the aforementioned players remain eligible to be called up and be in uniform for a Cactus League game. The Dodgers currently have 45 players remaining in big league camp. Of those, 33 are on the 40-man roster and the remaining 12 are non-roster invitees.
Uncertainty with Dodgers Minor League camp
Normally, players sent to the Minor League side during Spring Training would have the benefit of their own camp and schedule of games. However, MLB’s health and safety protocols have prevented that this year until Major League camps break.
Thus, their work in the immediate future may largely consist of intrasquad activity similar to what was seen at respective alternate training sites last season.
“Get those guys over there and getting some more playing time and at-bats. Who they’re playing, we’ll see,” Roberts said last week. “But I don’t know exactly how that’s going to lay out as far as if something is going to be set up for those guys and Minor Leaguers around the Cactus League as far as competition.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
