The Los Angeles Dodgers announced 21 non-roster invitees to big league camp, with Cody Bellinger, Willie Calhoun and Alex Verdugo, the organization’s top position player prospects, headlining the group.
Calhoun and Verdugo will participate in their first big league camp, while Bellinger returns for a second stint with the Dodgers in Spring Training, having previously joined the club last year. Pitchers Ralston Cash and Trevor Oaks will also take part in big league camp for the first time in their respective careers.
Calhoun and Sborz previously shared the news via Twitter, and it was reported utility man Charlie Culberson and catcher Bobby Wilson received a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.
Culberson re-signed with the Dodgers on a Minor League deal last December, but was soon after removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Wilson, formally of the Tampa Bay Rays, was signed to a Minor League pact earlier this month.
Another notable prospect making his debut in big league camp is Cuban right-hander Yaisel Sierra. He agreed to a six-year, $30 million contract ($6 million signing bonus) with the Dodgers last January, though the deal was not finalized until February.
Visa paperwork issues prevented Sierra from participating in camp until March. Considering he’d already fallen behind, Sierra completed individual workouts prior to being integrated with other pitchers.
As expected, the recently-signed Brandon Morrow is among the nine pitchers who received a non-roster invitation. Morrow converted to a full-time reliever last season with the San Diego Padres for the first time in his career.
Dodgers pitchers and catchers are to report to Camelback Ranch on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with position players due five days later. The club will then hold their first full squad workout on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
The Dodgers’ Cactus League schedule begins against the Chicago White Sox on Feb. 25, and Los Angeles breaks camp after facing the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, March 29. The Dodgers conclude their exhibition schedule by facing the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim in a three-game series.
Breakdown of Dodgers non-roster invitees to 2017 Spring Training:
Pitchers: Ralston Cash, Fabio Castillo, Steve Geltz, Brandon Morrow, Trevor Oaks, Patrick Schuster, Josh Sborz, Yaisel Sierra, Madison Younginer
Catchers: Jack Murphy, Wynston Sawyer, Bobby Wilson
Infielders: Willie Calhoun, Charlie Culberson
Infielders/Outfielders: Cody Bellinger, O`Koyea Dickson, Darnell Sweeney
Outfielders: Stetson Allie, Tyler Holt, Henry Ramos, Alex Verdugo
