Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki said the Dodgers decided he wouldn’t play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Sasaki, 24, spent a majority of his time in 2026 on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, and is the only one of the Dodgers’ three Japanese players they could prevent from participating in the tournament.

“That’s actually a team decision,” Sasaki said through a translator. “I’m just going to go focus on the season.”

Sasaki broke onto the scene during the last WBC, showcasing his 100-mph fastball in front of the whole world and instantly gaining the interest of MLB clubs. He posted a 3.52 ERA through two appearances, striking out 11 batters in 7.2 innings pitched.

How Did Roki Sasaki’s Rookie Season Go?

Sasaki signed with the Dodgers ahead of the 2025 season, and managed to make the Opening Day roster for the team after inking the minor league deal.

He made eight starts before landing on the injured list, though they didn’t go according to plan for the 24-year-old. He posted a 4.72 ERA during those outings, and managed just 24 strikeouts through 33.2 innings pitched.

The right-hander spent nearly five months on the injured list with his shoulder issue, but mad ea huge impact when he came back towards the end of the season. The rookie took on a new role in the bullpen upon his return, and closed the regular season with two scoreless performances in relief.

He remained on the Dodgers’ roster into the postseason, and continued posting goose eggs throughout the Dodgers’ World Series campaign. He recorded his first three MLB saves in the postseason, two of which came in the NLDS on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Through his 11 appearances after returning, Sasaki allowed just one run and struck out 10 batters.

What Role Will Roki Sasaki Have in 2026?

While the Dodgers haven’t made an official announcement on what their rotation will look like next season, it’s safe to assume Sasaki will have a spot.

General manager Brandon Gomes talked about the possibility of having a six-man rotation next season, and stated Sasaki would “absolutely” return to a starting spot.

Sasaki himself also said he’d want a shot in the rotation again, and believes the Dodgers will give him the opportunity.

“They will let me try to start again next season,” Sasaki said, so moving to the bullpen “was a relatively easy decision to make.”

With Sasaki getting another shot in the rotation, keeping him well rested in order to last the full season is a safe play from the Dodgers. They’ll hope to have everyone full strength heading into the regular season, when they’ll challenge for yet another championship.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts‘ son, Cole Roberts, will take on a role as a bench coach for Single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, part of the Detroit Tigers’ farm system.

The San Diego Padres drafted Cole Roberts in 2019, though the shortstop opted to play with Loyola Marymount University for four years before testing professional baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks signed him as an un-drafted free agent in 2023.

Cole Roberts had a great first season in the Arizona Complex League, posting a 1.035 OPS through 19 games in his first season. He began 2024 in Single-A and worked his way up to High-A, but the D-backs ultimately released him in July 2024.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed him to a minor league contract ahead of 2025, and although he made it all the way to Double-A from Single-A in their system, they ultimately released him in July 2025 as well.

Now retired, Cole Roberts will follow in his father’s footsteps and begin a coaching career. Coincidentally, Dave Roberts began his playing career with the Tigers, being drafted by the team and remaining in their minor league system for five seasons.

What Does a Bench Coach Do?

MLB.com defines a bench coach as the right-hand man to the team’s manager. Their responsibilities are broad, but they generally assist in making in-game decisions and serve as an advisor to the manager.

The bench coach often fills in for the manager during suspensions. Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann took Dave Roberts’ spot this season after the manager got tossed during a heated matchup with the Padres.

Due to their proximity to the manager and knowledge of the game, MLB.com notes “Many bench coaches go on to become managers, or are former managers.”

Will The Lakeland Flying Tigers Do Well Last Season?

The Flying Tigers are coming off of a solid season in 2025, during which they finished atop the Florida State League West in both halves of the Single-A regular season.

They had a 75-53 record, finishing seven games above Philadelphia’s Single-A Clearwater.

The Tigers have an incredibly strong farm system, currently ranking sixth in MLB by ESPN’s standards, meaning they could very well run it back in 2026.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott is ready for a bounce-back 2026 season after struggling in his first season with the team.

“New year, new me. When I get two strikes, don’t leave it up in the zone,” Scott said at DodgerFest Saturday.

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Tanner Scott Had Nightmarish First Season With Dodgers in 2025

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did something he rarely does by signing Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal last winter. Scott’s big-money deal certainly put the pressure on the reliever to perform and assume the role of the Dodgers’ closer.

There was no reason to believe Scott wouldn’t perform as he was coming off an All-Star season where he sported a 1.18 ERA with the Miami Marlins and a 2.73 ERA with the San Diego Padres after being traded at the deadline.

In 2025, Scott’s All-Star form was long forgotten as he produced a 4.74 ERA across 57 innings last season. He recorded an MLB-leading 10 blown saves. It was far from an ideal spot for Scott, who was supposed to be a massive upgrade of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Instead, L.A. had one of the worst bullpens in the league. 

The problems weren’t limited to Scott; the rest of the relievers factored in as well. According to Fangraphs, the Dodgers’ bullpen piled up in what they constitute as 96 meltdowns in 2025. That staggering number was a major reason L.A. didn’t dominate as many expected them to, turning winnable games into crushing defeats.

Still, the Dodgers managed to win 93 games and win the National League West for the fourth consecutive season.

All eyes won’t be on Scott like they were the previous season; however, they do expect him to do even slightly better in 2026.

“I threw too many balls in the zone and got hit a lot, so it was terrible,” Scott said of his 2025 season.

With Edwin Diaz as the de facto closer this season, Scott could shine in the background and be a key cog for L.A.’s bullpen as they try to accomplish a three-peat. 

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts revealed his plans for the rest of his career as a defender following a successful move from right field to the infield.

During DodgerFest, Betts revealed to Dodgers Nation’s very own Doug McKain that he wants to finish his career at shortstop.

Betts spent most of his career in right field, becoming a Gold Glove winner at the position and regarded as one of the best defenders in the game.

His speed allows him to cover a good amount of ground, and his glove and fundamentals are sound overall. However, in 2024, Betts was forced to cover in the infield, moving to second base and moonlighting as a shortstop.

Betts did not play up to his usual defensive standard despite having a good arm and experience fielding ground balls, leading him to move back to the outfield for the close of the season once others got healthy.

Ever the player looking for a new challenge, the former Red Sox player spent the 2024 offseason working on his fielding to play shortstop full-time.

He delivered a standout performance in 2025, becoming a Gold Glove finalist, cutting down on his mistakes, and making highlight plays, especially during the postseason.

What could stop Mookie Betts from finishing his career at shortstop?

The biggest barrier preventing older players from playing shortstop is the loss of athleticism that comes with age.

It is rare to see a player in their mid-to-late 30s still playing shortstop, though Betts wants to buck the trend.

He seems to do a good job of maintaining his body and retaining his athleticism, though Father Time remains undefeated, and he could suffer an injury or a natural decline that limits his range to get ground balls.

Realistically, if he wants to stay in the infield, Betts could end up moving over to second base, where he also played.

Even if he does not stay at shortstop for the rest of his career, Betts has already achieved a special feat, moving to shortstop in his 30s and thriving.

“To go out there and play Gold Glove right field for years,” manager Dave Roberts said back in October. “And to be in the Gold Glove conversation this year, rightfully so, to playing the biggest of games, biggest of stages — it’s just never been done. It takes a special brain and talent to do it.”

Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star closer Edwin Diaz will play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, per Primera Hora.

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Diaz’s commitment to the tournament comes amid controversy among Puerto Rico and other Latin American counties in regards to the WBC, with leaders claiming the insurance decisions are unfair.

“In some ways, I think it’s a little bit unfair,” Joey Sola, Team Puerto Rico’s operations manager, said. “Especially when you are three days from submitting your final roster. Who in the world would think Lindor wasn’t on the (eligible) list? You wait until the last weekend to get an answer on Lindor? C’mon.

“It took us by surprise. I know the WBC isn’t in those decisions. It’s the insurance companies. But you have guys on other teams, they have an injury history and then I got guys on my roster who will be playing at the Double-A level with no (major-league) guarantee, no MLB invitation (to spring training), and they get flagged. And guys on other teams who can play in the WBC are earning $30 million per year. It’s kind of tough to understand it.”

2026 will be Diaz’s third WBC, having played in both 2017 and 2023. The All-Star tore his right patellar tendon in the 2023 tournament while celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic. He went on to miss the entirety of the 2023 MLB season.

Will Edwin Diaz Be Back for the Regular Season?

The World Baseball Classic runs from March 5-17, so no matter how Team Puerto Rico performs, Diaz should be back in time for the beginning of the Dodgers’ regular season.

The All-Star, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers this offseason, will be a key part of the roster for the upcoming year, and will look to stay healthy throughout the tournament so he can help is new team come April.

Diaz is entering his age-32 season and is coming off one of his best years in MLB in 2025. The right-hander featured in 62 games last season and pitched 66.1 innings, posting a 1.63 ERA while striking out 98 batters throughout the campaign.

Which Other Dodgers are Playing in the WBC?

Other than Diaz, five Dodgers are currently slated to play in the WBC. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani headline a stacked Team Japan roster heading into the tournament as they look for their second consecutive title.

Will Smith will play catcher for Team USA in the tournament and will pair up with a familiar face in Clayton Kershaw, who shockingly announced his participation after retiring at the end of the 2025 MLB season.

The final player who has declared for the WBC is Hyeseong Kim, who will play for Team Korea.

More Dodgers can still feature in the upcoming tournament, though, as teams will announce their full rosters Thursday at 4:00 p.m. PT.

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke about Dodgers players participating in the WBC in 2026.

The executive spoke about the club’s process in getting their players to the WBC.

“We understand the immense pride that these guys feel for representing their country in that competition,” Friedman said. “…Talking to these guys it’s just about partnering up with them. Understanding where they’re at, what their thoughts are, how we do it the best way. We have designs to play through October so what does that look like in February, March? Just how to balance all of it.

“But really good conversations with all those guys, and at the end of the day we are supportive.”

Which Dodgers are Playing at the WBC?

The Dodgers have plenty of representatives at the World Baseball Classic as the best team in the country.

Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will both participate in their second consecutive WBC, and will look to take home the trophy for the second time as well. While Ohtani and Yamamoto will be present, Roki Sasaki will remain with the Dodgers after spending most of the 2025 season on the injured list.

Will Smith will feature for Team USA during the tournament as well, and Clayton Kershaw will make his first WBC appearance after retiring from MLB after the end of the 2025 season.

Mookie Betts won’t be joining Team USA as he usually does, though, as he and his wife Brianna are expecting a baby during the tournament.

“I was, but I can’t now,” Betts said on Adin Ross’ livestream in December. “My wife, we’re having a kid, so, the baby’s due in the middle of the WBC. She said she’d divorce me if I wasn’t there.”

Miguel Rojas also announced his absence from the competition Thursday, revealing he would miss out due to insurance issues.

“I am very sad today,” Rojas wrote in a caption translated from Spanish to English. “It’s a real shame not to be able to represent my country and wear that flag on my chest.”

While only four Dodgers have announced their participation in the WBC in March, plenty more could still find their way to the tournament as teams still have time fill out their rosters.

All 20 teams in the WBC will release their full rosters for the WBC Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET on MLB Network.

Amid the conversation about the team’s spending, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ TV deal with Spectrum has come up, namely, a special clause that allows the Dodgers to retain an additional portion of their TV revenue.

The signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker has sparked a total meltdown on social media, with fanbases from all over the MLB spectrum coming out of the woodwork and calling out the Dodgers for “ruining baseball.”

Tucker is set to earn $60 million per season, an incredibly high average annual value, which will have him among the highest-paid athletes in the sport. He is joining a team already full of stars in Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman — the reigning World Series champions.

As a result, an agreement between the Dodgers’ owners, the Guggenheim Group, and MLB has begun to circulate.

The LA Times’ Bill Shaikin outlined the terms of the deal between MLB and the Dodgers that have indeed led to the team keeping a larger share of its revenue.

What happened with the Dodgers media deal?

While trying to oust Frank McCourt as an owner in MLB, the league blocked a $3 billion deal between the Dodgers and Fox Sports, prompting McCourt to file a suit in bankruptcy court.

McCourt was trying to sell the team for all its worth, and he needed to make sure bidders knew what to expect from a TV deal.

In bankruptcy court, MLB agreed that the fair-market value for the Dodgers’ TV deal was the Fox offer, meaning the league would take its 34 percent cut based on those terms.

However, the Dodgers ended up striking a deal worth more than $8 billion, though MLB could not take more from the new deal.

During an appearance on Dodgers Dougout with Doug McKain, Shakin explained how the deal materialized.

“In a nutshell, in order to get Frank McCourt out, which was the objective from MLB, they had to make a deal with him in bankruptcy court,” Shakin said on the show.

“And part of that deal was how are you going to value the television contract? And since a television contract did not exist at that time, because a new owner had not even been selected, they did the best they could.

“And Guggenheim came out with a really great offer that I think blew even MLB’s wildest expectations away. MLB wasn’t thrilled, but they’re living by the terms of the deal, and that’s where we are.”

Why did MLB not fight the Dodgers on the deal?

MLB did try to push for new terms that hold the Dodgers to the same standard as other teams, but the settlement in bankruptcy court was too much of a blocker.

However, as Shakin outlines, the Dodgers’ new owners, Guggenheim, did work with MLB to find a middle ground.

“So in a normal situation, Major League Baseball would have said, this is a crazy high deal and good for you, and we’re happy, but we gotta share this money just like we share any other money.

“And in this case, MLB could only push so far because Guggenheim was willing to work with MLB to a point. And then Guggenheim could have gone back to the court and said, ‘we got a deal, please, Mr. Judge, enforce the deal. That’s what you’re here for.’

“And the court, as they say in legal circles, has jurisdiction over the deal, which means they run everything.

“So, MLB could have been stuck with the original settlement, which was not as favorable as what they got in the negotiations with Guggenheim.

“Is it equal for all other teams? Absolutely not. Is it a competitive advantage for the Dodgers? Sure. Now, is it as big a competitive advantage as some people are making it? I don’t think so ’cause the contract itself is way more than the individual amount the Dodgers are saving every year.”

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was just like the rest of us watching Game 3 of the World Series.

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Friedman revealed just how intense emotions were for him during the 18-inning contest in an appearance on Dodgers Territory.

“I mean it was a very intense series. Everyone keeps talking about how great it was, and I’m sure it was for a lot of people. There were times where I had to step back and remember to breathe,” Friedman said.

“Something I’m very not proud of is I may or may not have have spiked a barstool in that Game 3 and it’s because of the range of emotions. Will Smith hits a ball to center that in my mind is definitely a homer. And Varsho goes back and catches it.”

How Long Was Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series Game 3?

Chaos between the Dodgers and Blue Jays ensued at Dodger Stadium for a total of six hours and 39 minutes. The 18-inning thriller tied for the longest game by inning in World Series history.

There was no shortage of entertainment in the epic matchup as Freddie Freeman called game in the bottom of the 18th with a walk-off home run. Shohei Ohtani had a stellar performance going 2-for-4 with two home runs, two doubles, and five walks. He reached base a total of nine times.

Clayton Kershaw made his 2025 World Series debut in Game 3, escaping a bases-loading jam in the 12th frame to keep the game tied. It was the future Hall of Famer’s only appearance in the Fall Classic, and he made it count.

Dodgers reliever Will Klein emerged as the team’s unlikely hero as he tossed four scoreless innings. He was L.A.’s last available reliever and allowed just one hit and earned the win.

It’s no wonder Friedman had nearly chucked a barstool given all that happened in World Series Game 3. If it wasn’t already clear, the Dodgers front office is just as passionate about the team as fans are.

What’s in store for the Dodgers in 2026?

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The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan, brother of current L.A. hurler River Ryan, to a minor league deal, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Ardaya reports Ryder Ryan will receive $800,000 if he reaches the major leagues during the duration of his deal. After news of the signing broke, River Ryan reacted to his brother’s signing.

“I’m excited to get out to big league camp and be on the same team again,” River Ryan said. “Last time we were on the same team was in high school. It’s really col to be able to be on a team like the Dodgers with your brother.

“…He’s got a sinker, a good cutter, working on a changeup right now, which I think is gonna be one of his better pitches, has a good slider. I think the Dodgers are going to really like what they see in him.”

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Where Did Ryder Ryan Pitch Before the Dodgers Signed Him?

The Cleveland Indians drafted Ryder Ryan in the 2016 MLB Draft, though he didn’t remain with the organization for long. In 2017, Cleveland shipped the right-hander to the Mets in exchange for three-time All-Star Jay Bruce.

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He remained in the Mets organization for the next handful of years before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 2020. He stayed with the Rangers through 22, then signed with the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2023 season.

Ryder Ryan got his chance in the big leagues that season, though only made one appearance for the team. He threw a scoreless inning and recorded two strikeouts before heading back down to the minors for the remainder of the season.

The following year, Ryder Ryan signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates and saw much more time in MLB. He came into 15 games for the Pirates, pitching 20.2 innings and posting a 5.66 ERA. The right-hander managed 17 strikeouts in that time.

After his brief major league stint in 2024, Ryder signed with the Pirates once again in 2025. He spent the entirety of the season in Triple-A, where he posted a 4.73 ERA through 42 appearances. He set a career-high in wins last season, recording eight over the course of the season.

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Ryder Ryan’s addition provides some insurance for the Dodgers, who struggled in the bullpen towards the end of last season. With spring training coming up and plenty of roster spots up for grabs, Ryder Ryan could very well find himself back at the MLB level soon.