Welcome back to the Dodgers Beat newsletter! As Spring Training nears, we'll take a look at how the Dodgers stack up around the diamond. First up: catchers and infielders. |
Heading into the 2026 campaign, the Dodgers have perhaps the most clarity surrounding their infielders out of any of their position groups. There should be continuity for all of the starters, but the depth is where things start to get interesting. Here's the lay of the land for the Dodgers' catchers and infielders as things stand: |
Starters: C Will Smith, 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Tommy Edman, SS Mookie Betts, 3B Max Muncy It doesn't get much more clear-cut than this. The Dodgers will run back this group of All-Stars and Gold Glovers when they are all available and healthy. Which leads to the main question mark in this group: Edman. The versatile switch-hitter is rehabbing from offseason surgery on his right ankle, and he is expected to be delayed going into Spring Training. It is possible that he could begin the season on the injured list, opening the door for someone else to get a look at second. When fully healthy, Edman might not be the everyday second baseman because he is also needed in center field. But he gets the nod here because he played more infield last year. |
Depth: Dalton Rushing, Miguel Rojas, Andy Ibáñez, Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland
After hitting at all levels of the Minors, Rushing made his Major League debut last year and struggled to get in a rhythm at the plate with limited opportunities. The Dodgers are hoping that he can figure out how to be more productive at the plate while reprising his role as Smith's backup, and he could make the odd appearance at first base, as well, if Freeman needs a day off. Rojas could be the most logical option to take over most of the starts at second base if Edman needs to miss the beginning of the season. Either Kim or Freeland could be a left-handed platoon partner. Freeland, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 4 prospect, is a switch-hitter but was primarily used against right-handers in a stint with the Dodgers last year. This could end up being a primary position battle to follow during the spring. The newly acquired Ibáñez mostly played third base last year, but he has appeared all over the infield in his career. As a right-handed hitter, he could start in place of Muncy against particularly tough left-handed starters. Injuries have limited Muncy to 173 games in the last two seasons combined, so having big league depth at the hot corner is sensible for the Dodgers. |
Not on the 40-man The Dodgers don't have much other MLB-ready depth at catcher and in the infield. They brought back catcher Chuckie Robinson, who appeared in one game for Los Angeles last season, on a Minor League deal. Shortstop Noah Miller, the team's No. 25 prospect, might be an option down the line. It would not be surprising to see the Dodgers bring back fan favorite Kiké Hernández, who became a free agent after last season. He would add to the team's depth in both the infield and outfield -- and, in all likelihood, gladly pitch an inconsequential ninth inning if given the chance. While it seems like both sides would welcome a reunion, Hernández is recovering from elbow surgery and is expecting to miss time at the beginning of the season, making it likely that he would not sign until closer to Spring Training. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
One day after being introduced as a Dodger in L.A., Kyle Tucker returned to his hometown of Tampa, Fla., to give back. The Kyle Tucker Foundation hosted its fifth annual Topgolf “Tee it Up” event to support hospice care programs on Jan. 22. Current and former Major Leaguers Michael Brantley, Joe Smith, Jacob Young and Josh Winckowski were in attendance, as well as 2025 Tigers first-rounder Jordan Yost and former NFL players Kyle Rudolph and Blaine Gabbert. Tucker and his wife, Samantha, started the Kyle Tucker Foundation in 2022 with the mission of raising awareness and support for end-of-life caregivers. The inspiration behind the foundation was Tucker's late grandfather, who passed away in hospice care in 2021. |
With Spring Training just around the corner, several Dodgers returned to Los Angeles this week for the team's annual Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour. This year's tour features 11 stops all over the region in five days, with Dodgers employees, team alumni and current players participating in the slate of events. The week of community service leads up to DodgerFest on Saturday. Tickets are still available for DodgerFest, which features ballpark activities, VIP experiences and a 90-minute stage show at Dodger Stadium. Auto gates open at 8:30 a.m., followed by stadium gates at 9. |
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