Three Inning Save: Dodgers opening day roster coming into shape

Three-Inning Save: A Los Angeles Dodgers Podcast

Welcome to the very first episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, in which Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch will talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers, as part of the Fans First Sports Network.

If those names sound familiar to you, it’s because we podcasted about the team for over 10 years at True Blue LA. It will be more of the same on the new network, including questions from Craig Minami, plus Dodgers rewind episodes every so often.

On this episode, we take a look at the dwindling decisions left for the Dodgers to finalize their opening day roster. Tony Gonsolin will open the season on the injured list with a sprained left ankle, leaving a competition between Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove, and Andre Jackson for the final spot in the starting rotation.

Outfielder Jason Heyward, a non-roster invitee in spring training, is likely to make the Dodgers. With recent roster cuts, the Dodgers only have healthy 13 position players on the 40-man roster. Adding Heyward essentially means that the final position player roster spot is between outfielder James Outman and infielder Yonny Hernández. Outman has been impressive all spring, and played well enough to earn a roster spot, but it’s in question whether he will make the opening day roster.

In the bullpen, Daniel Hudson will open the season on the injured list with ankle tendinitis, though he’s not expected to miss too much time. Jimmy Nelson, signed to a major league deal after missing the last year and a half due to Tommy John surgery and flextor tendon repair, hasn’t found his command this spring, walking eight of his 17 batters faced, with no strikeouts. We do know at least two left-handers will be on the opening day roster, with Dave Roberts saying Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson will be on the team, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

This week’s questions from Craig look back at Dodgers Cy Young Award winners, and St. Patrick’s Day food traditions.

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