March 26th, 2021 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 When the Dodgers went to Spring Training 2021, the regular position players were set:
- Catcher – Will Smith
- First base – Max Muncy
- Second base – Chris Taylor
- Third base – Justin Turner
- Shortstop – Corey Seager
- Left fielder – AJ Pollock
- Center fielder – Cody Bellinger
- Right fielder – Mookie Betts
Austin Barnes would share catching duties with Smith, and Edwin Rios would be the backup at first and third base.
With the team likely carrying 13-pitchers, there was room on the roster for an additional three bench players. Competing for those positions were utility players Matt Beaty, Zach McKinstry, Sheldon Neuse, middle infielder Gavin Lux, outfielder DJ Peters, and catcher Keibert Ruiz. In addition, the team brought to camp NRI infielders Matt Davidson, Elliot Soto, Rangel Ravelo, and Omar Estevez.
Cactus League performances would help determine which pitchers would follow Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Trevor Bauer in the five-man starting rotation, and those pitchers who would make up the bullpen reliever corps.
With 2021 Spring Training in its final days, 25 of the 26 Dodgers opening day roster spots appear to be filled.
Starting Rotation (5):
- Trevor Bauer
- Walker Buehler
- Clayton Kershaw
- Dustin May
- Julio Urias
Bullpen (8):
- Scott Alexander
- Tony Gonsolin
- Victor Gonzalez
- Kenley Jansen
- Corey Knebel
- Jimmy Nelson
- David Price
- Blake Treinen
Catchers (2):
- Austin Barnes
- Will Smith
Infielders (5):
- Gavin Lux
- Max Muncy
- Edwin Rios
- Corey Seager
- Justin Turner
Outfield (3):
- Cody Bellinger
- Mookie Betts
- AJ Pollock
Utility (2):
- Zach McKinstry
- Chris Taylor
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Who will be the 26th man?
The veteran Matt Beaty seems like the logical choice for the final roster spot, but the team may prefer to balance the bench with a right-handed hitter (Lux, McKinstry, and Rios are left-handed hitters).
A trade is also possible, with the Dodgers using Matt Beaty, Luke Raley, or Zach Reks to acquire another right-handed hitter. Or the team could wait until final cuts are made by the other teams to see if a hitter like old friend Charlie Culberson, Matt Duffy, or Todd Frazier become available
Or is it time to move Keibert Ruiz from top prospect status to the active roster? Ruiz is a switch hitter who has performed well this Spring and would give Dodgers manager Dave Roberts the flexibility to use him, Barnes, or Smith as a pinch hitter during games.
* * *
Editor’s Note: On Thursday afternoon, the Dodgers made these roster moves:
- Added right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson to the 40-man roster
- Transferred right-handed pitcher Tommy Kahnle to the 60-day injured list
- Optioned infielder Sheldon Neuse to minor league camp.
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Posted in 
A nit to pick with the author of this article:
I don’t think the bench position battle has ever been between McKinstry and anyone else. It more likely was Beaty vs. Neuse and that duel was resolved yesterday with Neuse being sent down. Rios has been acting like he’s a lock to make the opening day roster. Perhaps he is, but, if he is, it’s because he’s a lefty with tremendous power. Problem is he hasn’t shown us that this spring. He’s just now heating up a bit. The fact that he plays 3b and can fill in at first works in his favor since he’s not horrible with a glove.
What I’m saying is Zach made the team a while ago and Rios only stays if he hits. Especially since getting him 4 ab’s per game in the minors would serve the team well later this season. Often you will see a player like Rios sent down in May to get him more at-bats. I think this is an up and down year for Edwin and while he’s in the minors someone else will fill his bench spot. Look for Rios and some righty to play musical chairs this year.
We agree on McKinstry, that is why I have him listed with Chris Taylor as utility players on the roster.
The fun starts when
Kelly, Graterol and then Morrow are ready to go.