Dodgers News: LA's Opening Day Bullpen Starting to Come to Focus

We have a picture of what the bullpen is going to look like.

The Dodgers bullpen is starting to come into focus less than 10 days to go until opening day. Dave Roberts has already confirmed a few of the guys who will be in there, and a few of the guys who won't.

The locks are Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol, as they're for sure healthy and ready to go for the new season. Then there's Yency Almonte, who's likely to be ready for opening day, so he should be there, too.

After those locks, Roberts confirmed two more arms — Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson — who will be in the opening day bullpen (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register). So that's five.

Dave Roberts said #Dodgers will open season with two lefties in bullpen — Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson. Last spot or two still to be decided so it’s possible there could be a third

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 18, 2023

Then, there are some question marks. Daniel Hudson is not going to start the season on the active roster, as he isn't fully recovered from his torn ACL and ankle tendinitis. So, his spot is up for grabs.

Who Could Fill the Final Three Spots?

Shelby Miller is likely to get an opportunity to start on the opening day roster. Despite his slow start to spring, the Dodgers signed him to a a major league deal, so their options are either cut him or put him on the injured list. So, unless they can come up with an injury for him, he's going to be on the roster.

That leaves two more spots, which could go to any of Phil Bickford, Andre Jackson, Michael Grove, Jimmy Nelson, Justin Bruihl and Victor Gonzalez (this is me assuming Ryan Pepiot gets the No. 5 starter spot and not Grove or Jackson).

Roberts said there may be another lefty in there to start the season, which would likely be Bruihl as Gonzalez has struggled mightily early in spring.

If this tells you anything, it's that there are some concerns with this bullpen. Fortunately, there are a lot of arms they're expecting back between Hudson and Alex Reyes, and even someone like J.P. Feyereisen, but for now, there's not a ton of depth in that bullpen. Maybe that could give someone like Gavin Stone some early playing time with the Dodgers.

My Prediction for the Opening Day Bullpen:

Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Yency Almonte, Alex Vesia, Caleb Ferguson, Shelby Miller, Phil Bickford, Andre Jackson

I think Bickford and Miller will be on short leashes, with Grove and Stone waiting in the wings to replace them. Also, Bruihl could get in over Bickford if Doc wants another lefty.