The California Post’s hot-take predictions on who will fill the Dodger’s roster holes for a three-peat challenge

Next week, the Dodgers will report to spring training to begin their pursuit of a third straight World Series championship.

And after Saturday’s annual Fanfest event, there’s more clarity about where the team stands at the start of a new year.

As the 2026 season approaches, here’s an early look at the status of the club’s roster and what the final 26-man group could look like on opening day.

Start rotation

Opening Day Locks: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell*

Competing for a spot: River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack

(*may start the season on the injured list)

The Dodgers are going to be careful with how they handle their starting pitchers this year. But for now, most appear to be on schedule for opening day.

Despite throwing more than 200 innings between the regular season and the playoffs a year ago, Yamamoto is already gearing up for an early start to his season, playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic next month. Given his importance to the team’s success last year, he could have the inside track to become an opening day starter, assuming he makes it through the WBC on a high.

In addition to him, several other Dodgers pitchers appear to have handled the quick turnaround in the offseason. Glasnow (who spent a lot of time on the injured list again last year) and Sheehan (who returned midway through last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery) said they felt good during their winter throwing programs. Sasaki (who will not play in the WBC) and Ohtani (who will only score at the event) also said they are focusing on moving forward for the regular season.

The biggest question right now is Snell, who delayed his winter work due to lingering shoulder problems. While he said the plan is to be ready for opening day, a lot will depend on how he feels during the spring. If he isn’t ready before the start of the year, that could open up an opening for a younger arm like Ryan, Stone or someone else – assuming the Dodgers go with a six-man rotation.

Bullpen

Opening Day Locks: Edwin Díaz, Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol

Competing for a spot: Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez

The Dodgers relief corps will now be anchored by Díaz, their new $69 million closer. With Vesia and Scott they have left-handed options. They also expect bounce-back seasons from Treinen (who had a career-worst 5.40 ERA last year) and Graterol (who missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery). Brock Stewart will likely start the year on the injured list, recovering from his own shoulder surgery late last season.

However, there is still a lot to decide during the camp. Banda and Dreyer both present options for more left-wing depth. Klein and Henriquez will look to cement permanent MLB jobs after contributing to the playoffs last year. And Casprius and Wrobleski could serve in multi-inning swingman roles, or be potential starting candidates if there’s an opening in the rotation.

Infield

Opening Day slots: Will Smith (catcher), Freddie Freeman (first base), Tommy Edman* (second base), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Max Muncy (third base), Miguel Rojas (bench), Andy Ibáñez (bench), Dalton Rushing (backup catcher)

Competing for a spot: Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland

If not for Edman’s offseason ankle surgery, this group would be mostly done. However, the possibility of him starting the season on the injured list could create opportunities for others.

If Edman isn’t ready for the start of the year, second base could likely platoon Rojas and Kim or Freeland — two young players who showed flashes of production last year but will struggle to show a more consistent offense this spring. Ibáñez, an offseason acquisition who is likely on the roster because he is out of minor league options, could also play a role at second base while occasionally playing Muncy at third base.

Outfield

Opening Day slots: Kyle Tucker (right field), Teoscar Hernández (left field), Andy Pages (centerfield), Alex Call (bench)

Vying for a spot: Ryan Ward

Tucker’s $240 million signing has cleared up most of the questions here. Now the Dodgers have three flawless starters in the outfield, plus Call as an option off the bench.

Ward, a longtime minor league standout who was finally named to the 40-man roster this offseason, saw his opportunity to sink the team when Tucker arrived. However, his productive left-handed bat is still an intriguing tool, making him a potential alternative in the event of unforeseen injuries during spring training.

Designated hitter

Opening day slots: Ohtani

No analysis is needed here.