Immediately following their spring training finale against the Rockies at Camelback Ranch on Sunday afternoon, the Dodgers, whose plane will be landing in Sydney, Australia in a couple of hours, announced their third round of cuts and posted their ‘who’s going and who’s not’ list for next weekend’s season opening series against the Diamondbacks at the famed Sydney Cricket Ground.

As is always the case when a team breaks camp, there are celebrations for those who made the roster and heartbreaks for those who did not. And while the actual 25-man roster for the season will not be completely finalized until the Dodgers return from their season opener abroad, it has, for the most part, been set – with three exempt spots still in play. Those exempt spots include Dan Haren, Josh Beckett and Brandon League, with Carl Crawford also excused for paternity leave for the pending birth of his child.

In addition to being among the Dodgers best hitters this spring, utility infielder Justin Turner played excellent defense at all four infield positions, thus earning a spot on the Dodgers opening day roster. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Those making the trip to Sydney for the March 22 and 23 season opener against the Diamondbacks (and an exhibition game with an Australian national team on Thursday, March 20) are:

Pitchers

• Jose Dominguez
• JP Howell (L)
• Kenley Jansen
• Clayton Kershaw (L)
• Zach Lee
• Paul Maholm (L)
• Red Patterson
• Chris Perez
• Set Rosin
• Paco Rodriguez (L)
• Hyun-jin Ryu (L)
• Brian Wilson
• Chris Withrow
• Jamey Wright

Catchers

• Drew Butera
• A.J. Ellis
• Tim Federowicz

Infielders

• Chone Figgins (S)
• Adrian Gonzalez (L)
• Dee Gordon (L)
• Alex Guerrero
• Hanley Ramirez
• Miguel Rojas
• Justin Turner
• Juan Uribe

Outfielders

• Mike Baxter (L)
• Andre Ethier (L)
• Joc Pederson (L)
• Yasiel Puig
• Scott Van Slyke

While it’s easy to feel the excitement of those making the team and the trip, especially for the non-roster invitees and minor leaguers (for the exhibition game), it came at a cost. Long-time Dodger prospect and three-year MLB veteran Javy Guerra, who was out of options, was designated for assignment following Sunday’s Cactus League finale to make room for 36-year-old non-roster invitee Chone Figgins, whose contract was picked up by the team.

Guerra, who was at one time the Dodgers closer prior to the emergence of Kenley Jansen, appeared in 101 games with the Dodgers over three seasons compiling a record of 4-5 with a very respectable 2.90 ERA and 29 saves. The hard-throwing Denton, Texas native struck out 87 while walking 47 in his 102.1 innings as a Dodger reliever. Although Guerra pitched well this spring (1-0 with a 2.25 ERA), there were several others who simply pitched better. Having spent his entire 10-year professional career in the Dodgers organization since being selected in the fourth round of the 2004 First Year Player Draft, Guerra’s designation for assignment created a somber mood in the Dodgers clubhouse.

“[It] just kind of came down to numbers really, and spots,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. “He’s kind of been back and forth the last couple of years. Obviously Javy is a guy that I like. I think Javy being out of options and getting designated, I feel like it speaks kind of to our [bullpen] depth.”

The Dodgers have 10 days to either trade or outright release Guerra, or outright him to the minor leagues if he clears waivers. And while it would be nice to keep the extremely popular right-hander in the Dodgers organization, the painful truth is that his future with the Dodgers would always be in question and he would have a far better chance of returning to the major leagues with another team.

Prior to Sunday’s game the Dodgers announced that they purchased the contract of utility infielder Justin Turner, who had an exceptional spring. In the 15 games he appeared in, Turner was 10 for 30 (.333) with four doubles and one RBI. He also had five walks which helped him to a .432 on-base percentage. Defensively, Turner play exceptionally well at all four infield positions. To make room on the 40-man roster for the 29-year-old Long Beach native, the Dodgers moved left-hander Onelki Garcia to the 60-day disabled list. Garcia underwent elbow surgery during the off-season from which he is still recovering.

Even though top outfield prospect Joc Pederson, top pitching prospects Zach Lee and Red Patterson and infield prospects Miguel Rojas and Alex Guerrero are making the trip to Australia, it is unlikely that any of them will make the Dodgers final 25-man roster when the season resumes on March 30 in San Diego. Several other roster moves will be made before then, as well. Once such move will undoubtedly be placing veteran right-hander Josh Beckett on the 15-day DL (retroactive to March 21) for a bruised right thumb. Beckett could still conceivably be the Dodgers fifth starter, which will not be needed until April 19 because of the Dodgers wacky schedule. Beckett figures to remain at extended spring training at Camelback Ranch but he could also see some rehabs starts with either Triple-A Albuquerque or Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Beckett figures to start the season on the 15-day disabled list but could be ready on April 19 when a fifth starter will be needed. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Matt Kemp will also remain at extended spring training to continue his rehabilitation from off-season ankle surgery. And though there is no exact timetable for Kemp’s return, he has made tremendous progress over the past two weeks and could return as early as May.

Both games in Australia will be televised on SportsNetLA with Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully at the mic. The games will air locally at 1:00 AM and 7:00 PM (PDT) on Saturday, March 22 because of the 18-hour time difference.

As excited as Dodger fans are to get the 2014 season underway, having the Australia trip in the rear view mirror cannot happen soon enough.