Dodgers First Roster Cuts: 11 Players Sent to Minors

The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their first spring training roster cuts at Camelback Ranch. They sent 11 non-roster invitees to the minor-league side after a busy split-squad day against the Cubs and Rangers.

The moves trim the big-league camp while keeping depth for both the Cactus League and the Dodgers’ overall spring plan.

Dodgers Begin First Spring Training Roster Cuts

These demotions came right after a split-squad day that saw 36 position players and 16 pitchers in action. The club got a good look at which prospects are ready for more Arizona reps and who’s heading to the minors for now.

It’s that early-season pruning teams use to start shaping a 40-man roster and build a competitive ladder from Camelback Ranch into the regular season.

Pitchers who left the main camp include six names that had been part of the battles and development plans this spring. Here are the pitchers who’ll continue their preparation away from the main Dodgers camp:

• Patrick Copen
• Luke Fox
• Jerming Rosario
• Adam Serwinowski
• Nick Frasso
• José Rodríguez

Copen’s story stands out. He bounced back from vision loss in his right eye last year and pushed for a rotation spot, putting up a 3.59 ERA over 27 minor-league starts with 152 strikeouts—tops in the Dodgers’ farm system last season.

In spring action, he gave up two runs over two innings and showed off his stuff and durability while chasing a shot at the big-league camp. The other demotions have their own stories too, from Serwinowski’s solid minor-league results to the early spring journeys of Frasso and Rodríguez, who hadn’t yet pitched in Cactus League games this year.

Position Players Reassigned

Alongside the pitchers, several position players moved to the minor-league side of camp. The Dodgers keep evaluating their depth and prospects, and these are the infielders, catchers, and outfielders who’ll keep working away from the main squad:

• Nelson Quiroz
• Chuckie Robinson
• Keston Hiura
• Matt Gorski
• Chris Newell

Hiura definitely drew attention. He played in seven games (four starts at DH) and picked up one hit—a home run—in 13 at-bats, walking three times.

That’s a reminder of his power and on-base skills as he tries to find a spot in a crowded Dodgers infield and outfield mix. Newell made some noise early, too, appearing in six games during the first nine days and tallying two hits, including a homer in 11 at-bats.

Some players in the group hadn’t seen Cactus League action this spring, which shows just how deep the Dodgers’ farm system runs.

Serwinowski’s case is worth mentioning—the Reds trade deadline pickup posted strong minor-league numbers and threw two scoreless spring innings with four strikeouts and one walk before his reassignment.

For fans following the spring storylines, every drill, swing, and pitch is part of the bigger picture as Los Angeles builds toward a deep mix of depth options for both short-season and full-season rosters.

Roster Size and Camp Outlook

After these cuts, the Dodgers have 65 players left in big-league camp—35 pitchers and 30 position players. This number doesn’t include Evan Phillips and Kiké Hernández, who are on the injured list.

Right now, the team’s main focus is on ramping up competition at every position. They want to keep a healthy mix of arms and assets ready for the grind of spring training and the push for the 26-man roster on Opening Day.

Camelback Ranch keeps buzzing with intrasquad games and live at-bats. More cuts are coming as the Dodgers tweak their plans for the Cactus League and start thinking about the regular season.

 
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