Padres News: Non-Roster Player David Dahl Talks About Trying to Make Opening Day Roster

He knows he can make an impact on this team.

The San Diego Padres have a loaded roster entering the 2023 season. There are going to be tons of players fighting for the last few spots on their roster, including a few of their non-roster invitees.

One of those non-roster invitees at Padres camp is longtime MLB outfielder David Dahl. The 28-year-old has been in the MLB on-and-off since 2016, spending a majority of his career in the National League West with the Colorado Rockies. In 2023, though, he's getting an opportunity with the San Diego Padres, and he told Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan that he's just grateful to get this chance.

"I'm just appreciative to be in this locker room with these guys and learn as much as I can," Dahl said. 

He added that his goal is to "just go out and try to show that I can help them win."

Former Rockies outfielder David Dahl could make the Padres' roster after spending last season at Triple-A.

Dahl to @SammyLev: "I'm just appreciative to be in this locker room with these guys and learn as much as I can...just go out and try to show that I can help them win." pic.twitter.com/9WgUjlN19Y

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 23, 2023

"I'm just trying to come in every day, show that I'm still the player that I was, and that I'm still a really good player that can help the team win ballgames," Dahl said.

Dahl is a career .272 hitter with 42 home runs, 160 RBIs and a .781 OPS in 327 games. He's spent time at all three outfield positions, but has played a majority of his time in left field.

Dahl's best season came in 2019 with the Rockies, when he slashed .302/.353/.524 with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs on his way to making his first and only All-Star team. However, he struggled in 2020 and 2021, and played in Triple-A last season.

This year, though, he hopes to contribute on a major league roster, and may get that opportunity with the Padres.