Los Angeles Dodgers News

Matt Sauer  • RP  •  Dodgers

Matt Sauer Signs Minor-League Deal With Dodgers

Free-agent right-hander Matt Sauer signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, according to a source. The 25-year-old was a big-league Rule 5 pick of the Kansas City Royals last year and was originally the New York Yankees' second-round selection back in 2017. The 25-year-old made the Opening Day roster for the Royals and appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen for KC. He wasn't very good in his MLB debut, though, allowing 14 earned runs on 23 hits while walking 11 and striking out nine in 16 1/3 innings pitched. Sauer was eventually returned to the Yankees and wasn't much better in 32 1/3 frames at Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a 6.12 ERA. It's possible the Dodgers will look to move him back into a starting role as minor-league depth.
4 days ago   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Unlikely To Pitch In Season-Opening Series

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) to be ready to hit in the season-opening series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs, but he's unlikely to pitch in the series. Ohtani had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and did not pitch at all during the 2024 campaign, but it didn't stop him from winning his third MVP award in the last four seasons by making history with 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 RBI while also leading the league in runs (134), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646), OPS (1.036) and total bases (411). The Japanese superstar will be more attractive as a hitter in fantasy in 2025, but he still has ace potential on the mound in his first year back from TJ surgery. Ohtani is a unicorn on the baseball field and became the only player in MLB history with 50-plus homers and 50-plus steals in a single season.
Dec 10   
Mookie Betts  • SS  •  Dodgers

Mookie Betts Preparing To Play Shortstop In 2025

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on Monday that outfielder Mookie Betts is preparing to play shortstop in 2025. It means that Tommy Edman would be the club's regular center fielder, while Gavin Lux would be in line for regular duties at the keystone. Betts began last year on the infield but was moved back to right field after returning from a fractured left wrist. The 32-year-old has been an All-Star in each of the last eight full seasons, although injuries are starting to become an issue, and it led to a big drop in OPS (.863) and home runs (19), which can be attributed to his wrist injury. Betts also isn't as much of a threat to run, having not reached the 20-steal mark since 2018. It's something to think about, but Betts is still a well-above average player in the best lineup in baseball and could be eligible at short, second and outfield in fantasy leagues in 2025.
Dec 10   
Blake Treinen  • RP  •  Dodgers

Dodgers, Blake Treinen Agree On Two-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing back reliever Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million contract. The 36-year-old had a fantastic season coming out of the 'pen for the Dodgers, recording 16 holds and a save on the back of a 1.93 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and an 11:56 BB:K over 46 2/3 IP. It was a superb bounce-back performance after missing all of 2023 and most of 2022 with a shoulder injury. The 2024 campaign culminated with two-and-a-third innings of one-hit ball in Game 5 of the World Series where he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three, going down as the winning pitcher in the series finale. For his career, the righty owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 24.8% strikeout rate. For fantasy in 2025, he'll be relevant in any league that rewards holds and could be considered in other leagues were he pressed into a closer role.
Dec 9   
Michael Conforto  • LF  •  Dodgers

Michael Conforto Inks Contract With Los Angeles

According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million contract. The veteran outfielder enjoyed a solid campaign with the Giants last season from a power perspective, holding a .237/.309/.450 slash line with 20 home runs. This was his highest home run total since the 2019 season. Under the hood, the 31-year-old generated a strong .479 xSLG, 11.8% barrel rate, and 46.0% hard-hit rate, all well above the average marks. However, Conforto did carry a hefty 24.2% strikeout rate and a modest 8.6% walk rate. Moving to the Dodgers, fantasy managers should expect Conforto to see an uptick in his counting stats, especially in RBI. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during spring training, as he could be given an everyday role in the starting nine.
Dec 9   
Freddie Freeman  • 1B  •  Dodgers

Freddie Freeman Undergoes Ankle Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) underwent surgery on his right ankle, according to the team. This procedure will remove loose bodies from the ankle area. Freeman was a crucial part of the Dodgers' World Series run as he was named World Series MVP but played through this ankle injury in the process. However, it is a great sign to see that the 35-year-old should be expected to be ready by Spring Training following the surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during the offseason in case he faces a setback during his recovery. While he did see a slight drop in production this past summer, Freeman still posted a solid 282/.378/.476 line with 22 home runs and nine stole bases. Under the hood, he boasted an impressive .287 xBA and .367 xwOBA, which were both well above the average marks. Freeman should still be viewed as a top option at first base heading into the 2025 season.
Dec 6   
Evan Phillips  • RP  •  Dodgers

Evan Phillips Should Be Good To Go For Spring Training

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that right-handed reliever Evan Phillips (shoulder) is "fine" and should be good to go for spring training in February. Phillips missed the World Series in October due to a right-shoulder injury but didn't require surgery. He has yet to start a throwing program, but as a reliever, he still has plenty of time to do so and still be ready for the start of spring training. The 30-year-old was officially shut down in the postseason with arm fatigue. Phillips wasn't quite as good in his third year in LA in 2024, posting a 3.62 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, 18 saves and 63:17 K:BB in 54 2/3 regular-season innings out of the bullpen. Despite the disappointing numbers, Evans saved a career-high 24 games for the Blue in 2023 and should have a high-leverage bullpen role yet again in 2025 for the best team in baseball.
Dec 4   
Tommy Edman  • SS  •  Dodgers

Tommy Edman Agrees To Five-Year Extension With Dodgers

Super utilityman Tommy Edman and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a five-year, $74 million contract extension on Friday, according to sources. The deal runs from 2025 through the 2029 season and includes a sixth-year team option. There's also a $17 million signing bonus and deferred money included. The 29-year-old started the 2024 season with the St. Louis Cardinals but didn't make his season debut until midway through August after he had already been traded to the Dodgers. The former sixth-round pick of the Cardinals in 2016 out of Stanford played both center field and shortstop for the Blue on their way to a World Series title, and he was named the National League Championship Series MVP against the Mets. In 37 regular-season games, Edman hit .237/.294/.417 with a .711 OPS, six homers, 20 RBI and six steals. The switch-hitter is better against lefties and should be an everyday player in 2025.
Nov 30   
Blake Snell  • SP  •  Dodgers

Blake Snell, Dodgers Agree On Five-Year, $182 Million Deal

Free-agent left-hander Blake Snell will stay in the National League West after agreeing to a five-year, $182 million deal on Tuesday night with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to sources. The deal is pending a physical. It's the first nine-figure deal of the MLB offseason, with the World Series-champion Dodgers locking down the two-time Cy Young winner. The 31-year-old southpaw signed with the San Francisco Giants at the end of spring training and had a rough start to the 2024 campaign while not being 100% healthy, but he eventually bounced back when he was fully healthy and went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 strikeouts and 44 walks in 104 innings over his 20 starts. Snell can be wild -- career 10.9% walk rate -- but his career 30.2% strikeout rate pretty much offsets it to make him a fantasy ace who will be in another good situation in LA while joining a strong starting rotation that will include Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in 2025.
Nov 27   
Giovanny Gallegos  • RP  •  Dodgers

Giovanny Gallegos Signing Minors Deal With Dodgers

Former St. Louis Cardinals closer Giovanny Gallegos is signing a minor-league deal with a spring training invite with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, according to a source. Gallegos hit the free-agent market mid-season after being designated for assignment by the Cardinals before latching on with the Minnesota Twins in early August. The 33-year-old right-handed reliever didn't reach the majors with Minnesota late in the year, though, and finished the 2024 campaign with a career-worst 6.53 ERA (6.36 FIP) while picking up one save with a 1.64 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB in just 20 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in St. Louis. The Mexican pitcher will look to bounce back with the World Series champions. Gallegos has 45 career saves in eight big-league seasons with a decent 3.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29.6% strikeout rate, so he could work his way into a setup role for LA if he can rediscover his form.
Nov 23   
Dustin May  • SP  •  Dodgers

Dodgers Sign Dustin May To One-Year Deal To Avoid Arbitration

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Dustin May (elbow, throat) worth $2.135 million on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Since the Dodgers won the World Series in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, May has battled injuries and has made just 20 starts for the Blue. He first underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2021 before returning in August of 2022. The 27-year-old re-injured his right elbow in May of 2023 and needed a second Tommy John procedure that summer. He was originally expected to return in the second half of 2024, but that didn't happen after he needed surgery for a tear in his esophagus. The former third-rounder in 2016 has been good in 46 career outings (34 starts) with a 3.10 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, but his strikeout rate of 22.5% has left a lot to be desired given his high velocity. Given his lengthy injury history, he may be moved to the bullpen in 2025.
Nov 23   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani In Early Stages Of Recovery From Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder), who was just named the 2024 National League MVP unanimously on Thursday night, is in the early stages of his recovery from arthroscopic surgery to fix a labrum tear in his left shoulder. "We've already removed the stitches," Ohtani said. "The current goal is to bring back my range of motion. Today we started working on core and we're slowly ramping up right now." He had surgery on Nov. 5. Ohtani didn't pitch at all in 2024 after rehabbing from right-elbow surgery in September of 2023. The 30-year-old's goal is still to be ready for Opening Day in 2025 as both a pitcher and hitter, although he's taking his time in his rehab this offseason. Ohtani became the first 50-homer, 50-steal player in MLB history in 2024 and will also be highly coveted in fantasy as a starting pitcher in 2025.
Nov 22   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Named National League MVP In 2024

As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was named the 2024 National League Most Valuable Player on Thursday night, his third MVP award in the last four seasons. If not for Aaron Judge's amazing season in 2022 in which he set a new American League mark for home runs in a season, Ohtani would have four straight MVP awards under his belt. Ohtani is the first DH to win the award after becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in the same season. The Japanese two-way player (he'll return to pitching in 2025) becomes the 12th player ever to win three MVPs and the second to do so within his first seven seasons, joining Stan Musial. After signing an unprecedented $700 million deal with LA, Ohtani led the Dodgers to a World Series title and led the NL in homers (54), RBI (130) and OPS (1.036).
Nov 22   
Joe Jacques  • RP  •  Dodgers

Joe Jacques Signs Minor-League Deal With Dodgers

Free-agent left-handed reliever Joe Jacques signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Jacques pitches in 25 games in the majors with the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks the last two years, posting a bloated 5.46 ERA (4.90 FIP), a 1.65 WHIP, one save, 22 strikeouts and 11 walks in only 29 2/3 innings pitched over 25 appearances (one start). This past season with Boston and Arizona, he finished with a 9.00 ERA and 2.33 WHIP in just three innings out of the bullpen. He wasn't much better in three minor-league stops between both teams in 2024, sporting a 5.48 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with 41 strikeouts and 21 walks in 42 2/3 frames over 40 outings (one start). The 29-year-old southpaw is likely to start at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024 as left-handed relief depth for the World Series champions.
Nov 16   
Brusdar Graterol  • RP  •  Dodgers

Brusdar Graterol Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) underwent right-shoulder surgery on his labrum on Thursday and was operated on by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Graterol is expected to return to the mound in the second half of the 2025 season as a result. The 26-year-old made a return in the postseason to help the Dodgers win the World Series in October, but he missed the vast majority of the 2024 regular season due to right-shoulder issues. The Venezuelan reliever allowed two earned runs while walking two and striking out seven in 7 1/3 innings of work in just seven appearances in his sixth year in the big leagues. He had his best season in 2023, posting a 1.20 ERA with a career-high seven saves in 67 1/3 frames. Graterol will be off the fantasy radar next spring and won't return to LA until after the All-Star break.
Nov 16   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Among NL Silver Slugger Winners

Major League Baseball announced the 2024 National League Silver Slugger winners on Tuesday on MLB Network. The winners in the NL were Phillies 1B Bryce Harper, Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte, Mets SS Francisco Lindor, Padres 3B Manny Machado, Padres OF Jackson Merrill, Dodgers OF Teoscar Hernandez, Padres OF Jurickson Profar, Brewers C William Contreras, Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani, and Dodgers UTIL Mookie Betts. This is the third time Ohtani has won a Silver Slugger award in his career. The two-way superstar became the first player in MLB history to hit at least 50 homers (54) and steal at least 50 bases (59) in the same season. The tremendous feat will likely also earn the Japanese sensation his third career MVP award (and first in the NL). In addition to all the hardware, Ohtani won his first World Series championship with the Dodgers in October.
Nov 13   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani's Shoulder Surgery Could Delay His Pitching

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season in Tokyo next March as a designated hitter after undergoing surgery on the labrum in his left shoulder after he partially dislocated it during the World Series, but it will add complications to his offseason throwing program and will probably push back his timeline to join the starting rotation. Ohtani did not pitch at all in 2024 in his first year with the Blue after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023. General manager Brandon Gomes said Ohtani's left-shoulder surgery isn't expected to have any "big-picture" impact on his ability to pitch in 2025. Entering October, he was close to facing live hitters for the first time since September of 2023, but the team decided to delay the rest of his throwing progression until the offseason.
Nov 8   
Gavin Lux  • 2B  •  Dodgers

Gavin Lux The Odd-Man Out In 2025?

With Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts expected to move back to the infield and likely at second base next season, infielder Gavin Lux appears to be the odd-man out. Lux will especially be the odd-man out of the Dodgers end up bringing free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez back. If the Dodgers don't decide to trade Lux this offseason, he'll most likely head to the bench if Betts becomes the primary second baseman in 2025. The Dodgers have both veteran Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman as options to play shortstop. Lux was much better offensively in the second half of the regular season but struggled mightily at the plate in the first half and in the playoffs. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter batted .251/.320/.383 with a below-average .703 OPS, a career-high 10 homers, 50 RBI and five steals in 139 regular-season games after missing all of 2023 due to injury.
Nov 7   
Mookie Betts  • SS  •  Dodgers

Mookie Betts To Play Infield For The Dodgers In 2025

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes stated Wednesday that the team will play Mookie Betts on the infield in 2025. The 32-year-old played mostly outfield for the Dodgers in 2021 and 2022, but started on the infield in almost half of his games played in 2023. In 2024, the veteran started on the infield in 73 of the 116 (63%) games he played, split between shortstop (61) and second base (12). It is important to note, but he'll be a top tier fantasy producer regardless of position, however, it could come to the detriment of Gavin Lux and others who played the middle infield for the reigning World Series champs in the second half of the season.
Nov 7   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Undergoes Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear, according to the team. Ohtani is expected to be ready in time for Spring Training. The superstar suffered this injury due to a dislocated shoulder during the World Series. However, he was able to play through it en route to winning his first championship. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression leading up to Spring Training in case he faces a setback. Operating as a pure hitter in 2024, Ohtani established the 50-50 club with an impressive .310/.390/.646 slash line. The 30-year-old will likely be a consensus top selection this year in drafts as he is expected to return to the mound, providing elite fantasy production both as a pitcher and a hitter.
Nov 5   
LEGEND
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