Here is the Dodgers' Opening Day roster (2024)

LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers’ Opening Day roster is officially set as the team looks to win a second World Series in three seasons.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already gone as far as calling his shot, guaranteeing his team will win it all this year. The talent on the roster, on paper, gives plenty of credence to Roberts’ prediction.

But it won’t be that easy. The Dodgers, once again, will have a target on their back. They’re no longer the defending champions, but after acquiring Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel this spring, they were once again the talk of the league.

As expected, the Dodgers went with 16 pitchers and 12 position players, guarding against the usual pitching adventures at Coors Field. The only minor surprise is that left-hander Victor González will start the season on the injured list. Garrett Cleavinger replaces him on the active roster.

A lot can -- and will -- change over the next six months. But let’s take a look at the rest of the Dodgers’ 28-man Opening Day roster against the Rockies.

Catcher (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
This was expected. This has been the club’s duo behind the plate over the last few seasons. Barnes gives the team an above-average game caller and is Clayton Kershaw's primary catcher, while Smith provides perhaps the best offensive production by any player at the position.

Smith hit 25 home runs and posted an .860 OPS in his first full season in the big leagues. The Dodgers are expecting similar things from their star catcher this season.

First base (1): Freddie Freeman
Barring an injury, Freeman will handle most -- if not all -- the responsibilities at first base for the Dodgers. The five-time All-Star signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Dodgers three weeks ago. Max Muncy, who played 122 games at first base last season, will be in the lineup most days, but he will move over to second and third base, as well as designated hitter.

Second base (3): Hanser Alberto, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy
Muncy will get a lot of playing time at second base, though Lux and Chris Taylor will also see time at the position. Alberto will be the team’s top right-handed bat off the bench and has shown enough versatility to play second and third base, as well as shortstop.

Third base (2): Justin Turner, Edwin Ríos
Turner is the only true third baseman on the roster, therefore he’ll continue to man the hot corner this season. However, with Chris Taylor, Alberto, Muncy and Ríos all capable of playing the position in a pinch, expect Turner to get plenty of reps as the team’s designated hitter in an effort to keep him fresh for 162 games. Ríos, who underwent major surgery to repair a torn labrum on his left shoulder last season, was the talk of camp this spring. The Puerto Rican slugger was 7-for-16 with three homers this spring. The trade to move AJ Pollock to the White Sox was indirectly made in order to give Ríos more opportunities at the plate.

Shortstop (1): Trea Turner
With Corey Seager no longer in town, it’s Turner’s turn to show what he can do at shortstop for the Dodgers. It’s also the last year of his contract and an extension with Los Angeles isn't in sight. A big payday awaits.

Outfield (3): Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Chris Taylor
After dealing with injuries in 2021, Betts and Bellinger are fully healthy heading into the 2022 season and are looking for bounce-back seasons. Both struggled at the plate this spring, but the Dodgers are still confident they’ll both have strong seasons. They’ll handle the everyday duties in center and right field, respectively.

With Pollock no longer on the roster, Taylor and Lux will handle the responsibilities in left field.

Starting pitchers (5): Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías
The Dodgers entered camp with seven potential options in the rotation. They ultimately went with Heaney and Gonsolin as the last two starters. David Price and Tyler Anderson are next in line in a situation that will remain fluid at the start of the season.With a shaky backend, the Dodgers will rely heavily on Buehler, who is the team’s Opening Day starter, Urías and Kershaw.

Relief pitchers (11): Tyler Anderson, Justin Bruihl, Garrett Cleavinger, Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson, Craig Kimbrel, Evan Phillips, David Price, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Mitch White
Los Angeles has some question marks in the rotation, but with the acquisition of Kimbrel, the bullpen could be one of the best in the Majors once again. Treinen is a top reliever in the league and Graterol has a chance to take another leap in his development. Victor González was also a bright spot this spring, but he’ll be sidelined to start the year. And at some point this season, the Dodgers also hope to have Phil Bickford, Caleb Ferguson, Tommy Kahnle and Danny Duffy back healthy. Bickford was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after a slow buildup this spring.