Austin

Gauthier

No real surprises among this batch of early spring cuts, as none of the five players were expected to crack the Opening Day roster. With the Dodgers opening their season in Japan against the Cubs in a couple of weeks though, expect them to cut down their roster quicker than they would have in a traditional spring training.

The 23-year-old backstop doesn’t have much left to prove in the minor leagues, but with Will Smit and Austin Barnes holding things down at the game’s highest level, he’ll need to work his way into the crowded outfield mix in order to have any shot of breaking camp. He’ll be an intriguing option for fantasy purposes when he does finally arrive in Los Angeles, but it’ll probably take an injury to Smith or Barnes for it to happen. Roki Sasaki and Zyhir Hope also received official invitations to spring training on Friday.

The Dodgers are narrowing down their roster sooner than most around the league as they’re opening the season against the Padres in South Korea. There were no huge surprises among this batch of cuts, though Gage could have potentially pushed for a spot in the club’s Opening Day bullpen — especially with Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen slowed by minor injuries.

The Dodgers entered the home half of the eighth trailing 4-1, but Gauthier wound up erasing that with his opposite-field four-run blast over the wall in right-center. The 24-year-old infielder finished the night 1-for-2. He had an awfully impressive 2023 season in the minor leagues, slashing .316/.435/.476 with 12 homers, 59 RBI, 19 swipes and an 84/100 K/BB ratio over 579 plate appearances between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa. Don’t be surprised if he works his way into a utility role with the big league club at some point during the upcoming season.

The 24-year-old utilityman split his time between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa in 2022, slashing an impressive .316/.435/.476 with 12 homers, 59 RBI, 19 stolen bases and an eye-popping 84/100 K/BB ratio over 579 plate appearances. He has the ability to play second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots — versatility that could earn him a look as a utility option for the Dodgers at some point during the 2024 season.