2026 Dodgers Make Their Fan Fest Debut

The 2026 Dodgers officially kicked off their season at Dodger Stadium during Saturday’s Fan Fest, receiving a warm welcome from fans. With most players present, the event shed light on the team’s current status just weeks before spring training begins.

Here are some key takeaways as the new season approaches.

– Tommy Edman mentioned there’s a “chance” he’ll be ready for Opening Day after ankle surgery this offseason. However, he cautioned that his recovery might be slower due to the surgery aimed at repairing ligaments and removing bone spurs. “I haven’t worn walking shoes for the last two and a half weeks, but I’ve started baseball activities again,” he shared, adding, “I’ve passed all my recovery checkpoints.”

– Blake Snell discussed a shoulder issue affecting his winter workouts, leaving him uncertain about his readiness for Opening Day. He indicated that the same problem that impacted him last season continued through the postseason, necessitating physical therapy during the offseason. “Now, I’m even stronger. My strength feels night and day compared to when I started PT,” he noted, while emphasizing he’s just taking it slow during the buildup.

– Roki Sasaki is the only Japanese player not participating in this year’s World Baseball Classic, a decision made by the team. Sasaki communicated his desire to play but respected the team’s choice, saying, “I’ll focus on season preparation instead.” Last season, shoulder issues kept him on the 60-day disabled list.

– Freddie Freeman also opted out of the WBC, citing personal reasons rather than health complications. “I needed to be closer to California,” he explained, without going into further details.

– After a particularly tough offensive year in 2025, Mookie Betts reflected on his offseason, stating he concentrated on “rewiring his body.” He explained, “It’s about shifting my mechanics and movement patterns.” Despite showing promising form in spring training last year, gastritis in mid-March affected his stamina, leading to a batting average of .258.

“It was a bit of a snowball effect,” he confessed, adding that he’s now committed to a more gradual training approach, feeling optimistic about his current progress.

– At Fan Fest, there were noticeable changes in player physiques. River Ryan, who missed the previous season due to Tommy John surgery, reported gaining 30 pounds of muscle during recovery. “I can throw harder now, and it feels easier,” he joked. In contrast, reliever Brusdar Graterol shed about 15 pounds while recovering from shoulder surgery, but both are expected to be ready for the opener.

– Manager Dave Roberts hasn’t finalized the Dodgers’ batting order post-Kyle Tucker signing but hinted that Shohei Ohtani will lead off, Betts will bat third, and Will Smith might hit fifth. That likely places Tucker and Freeman in the second and fourth spots.

– As the Dodgers gear up for spring training, they have a solid pitching lineup, although the roles of some players remain undetermined. Justin Robleski and Kyle Hart expressed uncertainty about whether they will serve as starters or relievers, while Ben Kasparius said he “loosely” considers himself a reliever but is ready to pitch long innings if required.