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Ben Casparius Reveals Expected Role With Dodgers in 2026
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- Ben Casparius Reveals Expected Role With Dodgers in 2026
Ben Casparius
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Ben Casparius is entering spring training with no set role, but he's loosely viewing himself as a reliever to enter camp.
"I think that loosely yes, just in terms of the buildup and what the throwing structure has looked like for this offseason. So I'm assuming it's gonna be something in relief," Casparius told reporters at DodgerFest Saturday.
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Casparius spent the 2025 season as a hybrid pitcher, working as a starter, opener, middle reliever and high-leverage reliever. He was optioned in September in order to make room on the roster for reliever Alex Vesia , who was activated off the injured list.
"I felt great taking on different roles. And I think for me this year just getting into a more solidified role, whether it's middle relief, whatever it was back of games, but I think just keeping spirits high, keep working, simplify things, and just keep communicating with our coaches about what needs to get done and game planning and everything along those lines," Casparius said.
What was the secret to his success?
"I think the biggest thing for me was just being flexible with my timing. So when I can, you know, fit lifts in, when I can do different workouts and arm care and stuff like that, and figuring out which days it's optimal for, that went a long way for me last year," he said.
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"At the end of the day, just open communication, what I'm able to handle, what might be too much, but I'm lucky with the staff we have, with Mark, with everybody, just to be able to, bounce ideas off each other and be ready to go out and compete when it's time."
Aug 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Ben Casparius (78) reacts at the end of the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium .
How Did Ben Casparius Peform in 2025?
In 2025, the 26-year-old went 7-5 sporting a 4.64 ERA with 71 strikeouts across 77.2 innings pitched last season. He threw a career-high in innings this season, which is likely why he was optioned late in the season.
In the minors, Casparius went 2-0 with a 3.37 ERA across 5.1 innings pitched.
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Casparius struggled the second-half of the season, but is looking to regain full form for all of the 2026 campaign.
"This offseason the main priority was just kind of throwing with a clear mind, not really thinking too much mechanical stuff," he said. "But I think when that's the case and you can go out and just strictly compete, I feel like everything's in a really good spot and hopefully I come into camp the same version of myself from the first half of the year.
