As expected, when word spread around Camelback Ranch (and on social media) that Dodgers outfielder Andrew Toles had failed to report to Spring Training camp on Monday morning due to what is being called “personal issues,” speculation immediately ran rampant. But while the team remained tight-lipped on the situation, and rightfully so, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Toles’ absence creates opportunities for several of the other 10 listed outfielders in camp vying for (presumably) four or five Opening Day roster spots, including Alex Verdugo and Joc Pederson.

“It’s obviously an opportunity and we’ll get Andrew here when things work out, he works through some personal things, he has our full support certainly,” Roberts told reporters on Monday morning. “As far as Alex and Joc, it’s just more just going out there and doing what you can to get ready for a major league season. It’s sort of doing that.”

Asked specifically if the Toles situation is an opportunity for the 22-year-old Verdugo, who is ranked as the Dodgers top overall prospect, to make the team’s Opening Day roster, the Dodger skipper had this to say:

“It is, it is,” acknowledged Roberts. “We talked about it yesterday and Alex has done everything he can to prove himself at the Triple-A level and he came into camp in really good shape, and he understands what we try to do, what he needs to do to get better as a player. And so outside of that, it’s just go out there and just let things kind of unfold.”

But Alex Verdugo isn’t the only Dodgers outfielder in camp who stands to possibly benefit from Toles’ misfortunes. Veteran MLB outfielder Paulo Orlando, whom the Dodgers signed to a minor league contract on January 4 with an invitation to major league camp, is also now in an excellent position to possibly break camp on the Dodgers 25-man Opening Day roster; especially if they want a guy with World Series experience (and a ring) at Dodger Stadium on March 28.

Although it sounds as though the Dodgers will give Toles every opportunity to work through his personal issues, it is difficult to believe that the 26-year-old Decatur, Georgia native and third-round draft pick in 2012 (by the Tampa Bay Rays) will now break camp on the Major league roster.

As for Alex Verdugo (et al.), when opportunity knocks, it is generally a good idea to open the door.

Play Ball!

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