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Shock ratings from Dodgers spring camp – surprising star tanks
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- Shock ratings from Dodgers spring camp – surprising star tanks
Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow
PHOENIX –– At this point of spring the last two years, the Dodgers were already breaking camp, departing Arizona early for season-opening overseas trips.
This year, the team still has two weeks to go –– which has made its stay at Camelback Ranch feel long, tedious and bereft of much remaining intrigue.
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"With that comes just being bored and tired," manager Dave Roberts quipped last week.
Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow has delivered results on the mound this spring. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
"We're not entirely sure what to do with ourselves," third baseman Max Muncy added. "But we know how to make sure that we're ready."
Thus, now is a good time to take stock of how camp has gone for the club and evaluate which players have –– and haven't –– impressed as the calendar moves closer to Opening Day.
Stock up
Tyler Glasnow :In a camp that has featured few standout starting pitchers (because of injuries and WBC absences), Glasnow has been an exception. He came into the spring saying his mechanics felt as good as they had in four years and has backed it up with three strong outings, striking out 13 batters while walking only two in his nine Cactus League innings. "He looks as good as I've seen him," Roberts said. "I just think that things are slowing down for him now, I really do."
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Andy Pages :Last year was shaping up to be a breakout year for Pages, who hit 27 home runs in the regular season. But then he went ice cold in the playoffs and was benched in the World Series. Now, the third-year slugger is using that October setback as motivation, showing improved plate discipline this spring while batting .385 with five extra-base hits in 10 games. "How he finished last year, I think it's a sour taste in his mouth," Roberts said. "He just wants to make sure that doesn't happen again. And to his credit, he looks fantastic."
Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages is looking to bounce back after being benched during the World Series. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Freddie Freeman :Coming off a fully healthy offseason in which he finally recovered from an ankle injury that had plagued him since the end of 2024, Freeman hoped his swing would feel better from the outset this year. So far, that's appeared to be the case. Freeman is batting .471 with three doubles and eight RBIs in just seven games. More importantly, he has already found his trademark opposite-field swing consistently –– raising hopes for a resurgent 2026.
Others: Santiago Espinal (who has likely assured himself of an Opening Day roster spot ), Teoscar Hernández (who is hitting .440 while getting a bunch of spring at-bats), Tanner Scott (who has five strikeouts and no runs allowed in four innings) and James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard (two outfield prospects the Dodgers acquired in a trade for Dustin May at last year's deadline who have had impressive springs).
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Stock down
Ryan Ward:After winning MVP honors in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League last year, and being put on the 40-man roster at the start of the offseason, it appeared Ward was positioned to battle for an Opening Day spot. Instead, his clearest route to playing time was dashed with the signing of Kyle Tucker . And this spring, he has struggled mightily, hitting just .156 before being optioned to minor-league camp last week.
Edgardo Henriquez :Given all the injuries in the Dodgers bullpen, Henriquez seemed to have a clear path to an Opening Day role this spring. But command issues have continued to plague him, with four walks and two hit batters leading to seven runs allowed in four Cactus League innings. He is still battling for a spot but has struggled to capitalize on his opportunity to this point.
Alex Freeland : Tommy Edman 's ankle injury put Freeland in a battle for a potential Opening Day second base role at the start of camp. But his swing remains a work in progress, hitting just .148 this spring. Now, he appears likely to head back to Triple-A to begin the season.
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Wait and see
Roki Sasaki :He's been the most interesting player in camp but for a lot of the wrong reasons. His two Cactus League outings were disconcerting, as he struggled to command his fastball. He looked much better in a recent B-game against White Sox minor leaguers but mostly because they unsurprisingly failed to touch his splitter. He remains in line to be in the Opening Day rotation yet still has much to prove against MLB competition in his return to a starting role.
Blake Treinen :After two sharp outings to begin the spring, Treinen's last two appearances renewed concerns from his career-worst season last year. In one of them, he gave up four runs on three hits and two walks while recording just one out. In the other, he gave up two more hits while failing to record a strikeout. He remains confident a bounce-back season is on the horizon in 2026, but there still seems to be much to iron out to get there.
Mookie Betts :After spending the offseason trying to rewire his swing, Betts is 5 for 14 and has expressed renewed confidence in his mechanics at the plate. However, he hasn't played much in the Cactus League because of an intentionally slower ramp-up process in camp and has just one extra-base hit. Coming off a career-worst 2025, questions remain about whether he can bounce all the way back to his old MVP-level form. It will take more time to get clear answers.
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Dodgers pitcher makes progress
Snell's path back: The biggest development from Dodgers camp Thursday came before their game against the Reds. For the first time this spring, Blake Snell threw a bullpen session, marking a key step in his return from offseason shoulder problems. Afterward, Snell said he and the team were still nailing down his return timeline, but he held out hope he could be back before the end of April.
Baby Betts: Mookie Betts left Dodgers camp Wednesday to return to Los Angeles to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth to the couple's third child. Manager Dave Roberts expected Betts back with the team this weekend.
Caught my eye: Andy Pages has had a big spring with the bat. But on Thursday night, he flashed his premium throwing arm in center field, too, throwing out a runner at third base. Pages' cannon was a weapon last year, when he had 10 outfield assists.
Up next: The Dodgers have another night game Friday, when they face the Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex.
