Infielder Edwin Ríos makes Dodgers roster for opening day

The Dodgers’ place participant group for opening day is about.

Dave Roberts on Monday introduced Edwin Ríos would be the twelfth place participant on the membership’s roster. Ríos beat out veterans Jake Lamb and Kevin Pillar for the spot after a robust exhibiting within the Cactus League. The infielder went seven for 21 with three dwelling runs in 10 video games.

“He’s earned it,” Roberts mentioned.

The Dodgers will carry 12 place gamers and 16 pitchers with an expanded 28-man roster to begin the season. Roberts mentioned the membership nonetheless hasn’t finalized its bullpen. The Dodgers open the season Friday in Denver towards the Colorado Rockies.

It’s been nearly a yr since Riós’ profession skidded to a crash. He was off to a traditionally dangerous begin, going 4 for 51 in 25 video games, together with his proper shoulder in fixed ache. Lastly, he spoke up and his season was quickly over when he underwent surgical procedure to restore {a partially} torn labrum in his proper shoulder in early Might.

“Generally you get surgical procedure, you simply by no means know what can occur to your physique, or the way you’ll ever come again after having surgical procedure,” Ríos, 27, mentioned. “I simply made a giant effort to work my tail off, to attempt to get as wholesome as potential, as robust as potential.”

The suspense surrounding the ultimate place participant spot on the Dodgers’ roster had already buried Monday when triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis unveiled its roster and Lamb and Pillar on it.

Each veterans have been invited to spring coaching on minor-league offers.

Lamb suits the identical profile as Ríos: A left-handed-hitting nook infielder with pop. Lamb, 33, was an All-Star for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017, belting 30 dwelling runs, earlier than accidents derailed his profession. However he impressed Dodgers brass this spring sufficient to warrant consideration, going 9 for 27 with two dwelling runs in 12 spring coaching video games.

“I really feel very fondly of Jake,” Roberts mentioned. “It’s a tricky sport, generally to have that dialog when you realize a participant, or gamers, as talked about, are deserving, however he’s a professional.”

Pillar, 33, was a unique possibility. The West Hills native bats right-handed and has established himself as among the best defensive outfielders within the majors over the past decade. An opportunity to make the roster seemingly opened final week when the Dodgers flipped AJ Pollock, one other right-handed-hitting outfielder, for nearer Craig Kimbrel.

“Kevin is a Los Angeles man,” Roberts mentioned. “Grew up rooting for the Dodgers. I simply want I’d’ve performed with the man. He’s a man that I simply love watching, admiring. And to see him in a Dodger uniform, it seems proper, and he’s a serious league participant. Thankfully, for the Dodgers, he’s open to taking an project to triple A. However there’s little question in my thoughts that he’ll come up and assist us sooner or later.”