April 8th, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 All things considered, there are no surprises to the 28 players who will suit up for the Dodgers in their first game of the 2022 season when they play the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
(Photo credit – Darryl L. Bolden Jr.)
The 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers are a veteran team comprised of 16 pitchers and 12 position players. There are no high-profile prospects vying for Rookie of the Year, and there wasn’t a realistic roster opportunity for those non-rostered players invited to Spring Training.
Spring Training for seasoned Major League Baseball veterans is a time to get their annual tune-ups for the grind of a 162-game regular season, followed by the madness of MLB’s 12-team postseason tournament. Veterans in the prime of their careers are not expected to earn their way onto Opening Day rosters; their spots have been secured by consistent, often spectacular, performance. Forget the Spring Training stats for players like Walker Buehler, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, etc. Their names were engraved on the roster long before they reported to Camelback Ranch on March 13, 2022.
Fans may debate the inclusion of some players like utility player Gavin Lux or relief pitcher Evan Phillips, perhaps even centerfielder Cody Bellinger on the Opening Day roster. But Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman follows his strategic plan with an excellent track record of making sound personnel decisions.
Remember, this is the Dodgers’ initial roster. Experience tells us that Friedman will tweak the roster many times during the course of a season, adding and subtracting players to build the best team possible. For example, there are presently six pitchers on the disabled list who will likely be significant contributors during the 2022 season: Right-handers Phil Bickford, Tommy Kahnle, and Dustin May, and left-handers Danny Duffy, Caleb Ferguson, and Victor González.
And, if necessary, Friedman is willing to effect a significant roster makeover to reach the ultimate goal of another World Championship.
Finally, it is time to Play Ball!
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As of this morning – Opening Day 2022 – the Yankees do not have a deal in place with outfielder Aaron Judge.
You don’t suppose…
Bellinger, Lux, and Pepoit? You be the “Judge.”