Los Angeles Dodgers Unveil Travel Roster for Tokyo Series Against Chicago Cubs

The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially revealed their travel roster for their upcoming two-game series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs, which will mark the start of the new MLB season. The Dodgers’ roster for the international showdown includes 31 players in total, with 26 men set to feature in the games against the Cubs, and the remaining players scheduled to participate in two exhibition games the team will play in Japan before the regular season opener.

This roster mirrors the approach taken by the Dodgers last year during the Seoul Series, when the team traveled to South Korea to face the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers have once again opted for a balanced roster, with 16 pitchers and 15 position players making the trip to Japan.

Key Pitching Additions

Among the notable pitchers on the roster are the four confirmed starters for the series: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow. These pitchers will play a central role in the team’s performance over the two games, and both Yamamoto and Sasaki will be taking the mound for the games against the Cubs on March 18 and March 19.

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, both stars in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, will be familiar faces to Japanese fans. The duo’s inclusion on the Dodgers’ roster provides a strong representation of the country’s talent and strengthens the Dodgers’ pitching depth for the series.

Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin’s Recovery

In addition to these key pitchers, the Dodgers have confirmed Dustin May as the team’s fifth starter for the upcoming season. However, May’s role as a starter is temporary until Shohei Ohtani is ready to return to the mound. May is coming off a significant injury, and while he’s made a solid recovery, the Dodgers have opted not to keep him back in Arizona to continue his progress before the season kicks off. Instead, May will travel with the team to Japan and look to get back into rhythm as the team prepares for the season ahead.

Similarly, Tony Gonsolin, also coming off a major injury, is part of the travel roster, although his role for the Tokyo series is not yet clear. Both Gonsolin and May will likely be monitored closely throughout the early part of the season to ensure they are fully healthy before they take on larger workloads.

Additional Pitching Depth

Alongside the main starters, the Dodgers have chosen to bring additional pitching depth to Tokyo, including Nick Frasso, Justin Wrobelski, and Landon Knack. These three pitchers will also make the trip and may see action in the exhibition games or be used as extra bullpen depth for the regular season games against the Cubs. While none of these pitchers have yet established themselves as key players for the Dodgers, their inclusion on the travel roster highlights the team’s commitment to ensuring they have enough pitching options available for the upcoming series in Japan.

Position Players and Roster Depth

In terms of position players, the Dodgers will bring 15 players to Tokyo, including a mix of veterans and young stars who will be crucial to the team’s offensive success. This group of players includes established stars who will be expected to lead the team during the regular season, as well as newcomers hoping to make an impression in the exhibition games and earn roster spots as the season progresses.

The Dodgers’ offensive lineup will likely feature big names such as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy, all of whom are essential to the team’s championship aspirations. The team will also be relying on Will Smith behind the plate, along with the dynamic presence of Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor, and Miguel Vargas to round out the infield and outfield positions.

While the core group of position players remains strong, the Dodgers have some questions to answer in terms of bench depth, with new additions and younger players competing for backup roles.

Looking Ahead to the Tokyo Series

The Dodgers’ upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs will not only mark the start of the 2024 MLB season, but also provide a unique opportunity for the team to play in front of a global audience. As the first major league teams to play in Tokyo this season, the Dodgers and Cubs will have the chance to showcase the international appeal of MLB and strengthen ties with baseball fans in Japan.

The series is expected to draw significant attention, especially with the inclusion of Japanese stars like Yamamoto and Sasaki, and will offer a glimpse of what the MLB season has in store for both teams.

Additionally, the Dodgers will be playing two exhibition games before the official season opener. These games will give the team a chance to fine-tune their roster, assess the health of their players, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the regular season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ travel roster for their two-game series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs is packed with talent, from established stars to emerging players who could make an impact. While the Dodgers are expected to contend for another championship in 2024, the health of their pitching staff, particularly Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, will be crucial to their success.

As the team travels to Japan to kick off the season, Dodgers fans will be eagerly watching to see how their players perform on the international stage and how they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the highly competitive NL West.