Dodgers Enter Spring With Outfield Roles Still to Be Defined

1 week ago 2

As the Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2026 offseason with one of baseball’s most complete rosters, their biggest remaining puzzle lies in how the outfield will be constructed and deployed once Spring Training begins. After addressing the bullpen by bringing in closer Edwin Díaz, Los Angeles now turns attention to rounding out its outfield mix and determining who plays where when pitchers and catchers report in February.

At the core of the group are Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages, two established starters with distinct skill sets. Hernández is expected to be the primary right fielder, a position manager Dave Roberts reaffirmed as his infield meeting declaration, though a shift to left isn’t entirely off the table. Pages, meanwhile, has shown enough promise, particularly with his strong arm and athleticism, that he could remain in center field or potentially slide over to right to maximize defensive alignment.

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Behind that duo are a handful of complementary pieces who could play roles ranging from platoon spot starter to late-inning defensive replacements. Players such as Alex Call, Ryan Ward, and others offer depth and flexibility, though none has firmly established himself as an everyday option. That lack of entrenched backups means Los Angeles might look to promote internal talent or pursue additional outfield help externally if the right opportunity presents itself.

One wrinkle in the Dodgers’ planning is the health of Tommy Edman. While Edman has the versatility to contribute in the outfield, he’s coming off ankle surgery that could limit his availability early in camp and possibly early in the season. His status will influence whether the Dodgers feel comfortable relying on internal pieces or push harder for a veteran addition on the open market.

Beyond the immediate roster, Los Angeles also has intriguing outfield prospects in the system who could factor into long-term planning. Young players like Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope are highly ranked minor leaguers who might push for playing time if they continue to progress, offering the Dodgers additional layers of depth and future upside.

With Spring Training approaching rapidly, the Dodgers’ outfield picture remains flexible rather than definitive. Balancing veteran stability with emerging talent, and accounting for positional flexibility and health concerns, will be key as Los Angeles shapes a group capable of contributing to another postseason run.

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