{"id":113170,"date":"2026-01-30T19:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T00:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=113170"},"modified":"2026-01-30T19:12:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T00:12:24","slug":"a-round-up-of-dodgers-news-and-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/30\/a-round-up-of-dodgers-news-and-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"A Round Up Of Dodgers News and Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It has been a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/09\/report-dodgers-sign-free-agent-closer-edwin-diaz\/\" target=\"_self\">productive offseason<\/a> for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have plugged <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/15\/report-dodgers-sign-all-star-outfielder-kyle-tucker\/\" target=\"_self\">two significant roster<\/a> holes, added to their depth, and tried to get healthy in abbreviated winter. Now, with Spring Training less than two weeks away, they have made it very clear that they are in pursuit of a three-peat. Here are the latest bits and pieces of news from Dodger Blue.<\/p>\n<h2>A Familiar Name<\/h2>\n<p>According \u00a0to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Dodgers have signed <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ryanry01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryder Ryan<\/a> to a minor-league contract with a Spring Training invite. He will receive \u00a0an $800,000 bonus if he makes the roster during the season. He does have some big league experience as he has spent some time with the Pittsburg Pirates and posted an Earned Run Average just over 4.00. The right-hander features a moving fastball that hits above 94 miles per hour. Ryan joins his younger brother River in the organization. River made his own impressive debut with the Dodgers before <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/13\/river-ryan-tommy-john-surgery\/\" target=\"_self\">being sidelined<\/a> with <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tommy John<\/a> surgery. Don&#8217;t be surprised if we see them toeing the big league rubber in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ryan Ryder to Dodgers. Minors deal for the RHP. MLB camp invite. $800K if in majors.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JonHeyman\/status\/2017043900293054544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Delayed Return<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBrl5jWh9v\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3072px; aspect-ratio: 3072\/2048;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/snellbl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blake Snell<\/a> may miss Opening Day this season. Apparently, October baseball took a toll on the starter, and he may need more time to recover. This, however, \u00a0just may be a case of Los Angeles managing the veteran&#8217;s work load. Snell missed two months last year due to an<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/04\/07\/dodgers-shuffle-rotation-announce-replacement-blake-snell\/\" target=\"_self\"> ailing shoulder.<\/a> However, when he came off the injured list, he was more than effective down the stretch run into October. While he may be ready at the start of the season, They may delay his return to preserve his arm for October. It appears the Dodgers pitching depth will be tested early.<\/p>\n<h2>A Definite Maybe<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBierxd1yP\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3120px; aspect-ratio: 3120\/2080;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p>Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said that <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edmanto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tommy Edman<\/a> is trending in the right direction. In an interview with Dodgers Territory, Friedman said everything looks good as far as Edman&#8217;s recovery from <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/11\/11\/dodgers-infielder-outfielder-edman\/\" target=\"_self\">ankle surgery.<\/a> Friedman added, they won&#8217;t know until the middle of February whether or not the 2024 NCLS M.V.P, will be ready for Opening Day. The utility player has battled an ankle injury for more than a year and a half.<\/p>\n<h2>Dodgers&#8217; &#8220;Mr October&#8221;<\/h2>\n<p>The Los Angeles roster appears to be set, with one notable exception. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hernaen02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kike Hernandez<\/a> will probably sign when the Injured List becomes available. With the roster already full, the Dodgers wouldn&#8217;t have to make room for him. Hernandez had off-season <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/08\/25\/dodgers-activate-kike-hernandez-buddy\/\" target=\"_self\">elbow surgery<\/a>. The Dodgers will be patient in regard to his return as long as he&#8217;s ready for the stretch run later in the season.<\/p>\n<h2>Opting Out<\/h2>\n<p>Infielder <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rojasmi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miguel Rojas<\/a> will not play for his native Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March. The 37-year old was not granted the insurance needed. He joins <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/freemfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddie Freeman<\/a> who had previously committed to playing for Team Canada but withdrew for unspecified reasons.<\/p>\n<h2>NBC Appears Close to Getting their Man<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBAGCstUQT\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3600px; aspect-ratio: 3600\/2529;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p>NBC is hiring studio analysts for Sunday Night Baseball. They were reportedly <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/06\/future-hall-of-famer-clayton-kershaw-could-be-in-line-for-a-broadcast-role\/\" target=\"_self\">interested<\/a> in three-time <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/y\/youngcy01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cy Young<\/a> Award Winner <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kershcl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clayton Kershaw<\/a>. The left-hander retired from the Dodgers last year after winning his third World Series Ring. Kershaw will remain busy as he welcomed his fifth child into the world, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/15\/dodgers-great-clayton-kershaw-headed-to-world-baseball-classic\/\" target=\"_self\">committed<\/a> to pitching in the WBC as well. Kershaw will be joining an All-Star Cast of <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=rizzoan01,rizzo-006ant&amp;search=Anthony+Rizzo&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Rizzo<\/a> and <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vottojo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-30_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joey Votto<\/a> on the set.<\/p>\n<p>On paper, Los Angeles looks formidable. However, the season can be unpredictable. Let the games begin.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><strong>(Top Image Credit: JOE LUMAYA\/SPECIAL TO THE STAR \/ <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><strong>USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It has been a productive offseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have plugged two significant roster holes, added to their depth, and tried to get healthy in abbreviated winter. Now, with Spring Training less than two weeks away, they have made it very clear that they are in pursuit of a three-peat. Here are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5226,"featured_media":113193,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33,1071],"tags":[67,1122,97,206,147,2915,92,2816,1632,3899],"class_list":["post-113170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dodgers","category-mlb","tag-anthony-rizzo","tag-blake-snell","tag-clayton-kershaw","tag-freddie-freeman","tag-joey-votto","tag-kike-hernandez","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-miguel-rojas","tag-ryder-ryan","tag-tommy-edman"],"modified_by":"Matthew Nethercott, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113170"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":113194,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113170\/revisions\/113194"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}