Among those names is Tommy Edman. Roberts provided an update on Edman’s recovery, noting that while the utility man still has hurdles to clear, his return is on the horizon. Per reports from Adrian Medina, the Dodgers’ skipper suggested a late-May return is likely, as Edman has yet to resume running at full speed.

In addition to Edman, Roberts touched on the status of ace Blake Snell. Snell successfully completed his first live bullpen session on Saturday; his next milestone will be a two-inning live session. “He is in a good spot,” Roberts noted, signaling optimism for the left-hander’s progression.

Roberts also weighed in on Emmet Sheehan, expecting a significant step forward in his start during Sunday’s series finale against the Texas Rangers. These updates come on the heels of news that Kike Hernandez took batting practice last week, further bolstering the team’s depth outlook.

Dodgers injury report: Looking at the IL

Beyond Edman and Snell, the Dodgers continue to navigate a crowded injury list. Perhaps most notable is superstar Mookie Betts, currently on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain. Betts remains on track for a potential return as early as this week.

Here is the current state of the Dodgers’ injured list:

• Blake Snell – 15-day IL (Shoulder)
• Brusdar Graterol – 15-day IL (Shoulder)
• Mookie Betts – 10-day IL (Oblique)
• Gavin Stone – 60-day IL (Shoulder)
• Jake Cousins – 60-day IL (Elbow)
• Kike Hernandez – 60-day IL (Elbow)
• Evan Phillips – 60-day IL (Elbow)
• Bobby Miller – 60-day IL (Shoulder)

As the roster nears full health, Roberts faces the “good problem” of managing a surplus of talent. With clear timelines established for his returning stars, the manager is focused on integrating these pieces strategically to sustain the Dodgers’ dominant start through the summer months.

According to OptaStats on X, “Muncy became the first player in MLB history to record a game with 5+ runs, 4+ hits, 3+ home runs, and a walk-off home run.” He also snapped a rough stretch, ending a six-game home run drought dating back to March 31, during which he had entered the matchup hitting .000.

The Dodgers improved to 10-3 with the win over Texas, and while Muncy had been struggling, he bounced back in dominant fashion. His performance boosted his average to .500, and notably, it marked his first game of the season without a strikeout across five at-bats.

Muncy alongside his teammates

Within the Dodgers lineup, Muncy stands out, but he’s not the only one producing at a high level. Andy Pages has also been instrumental in the team’s strong start, helping fuel their 10-win record and control of the NL West. Pages currently leads the team in multiple categories, including 16 RBIs, three more than Freddie Freeman.

Pages is also setting the pace in hits with 22 so far this season, ten more than Muncy, and no other Dodgers player has reached 20. Despite Muncy’s recent struggles over the previous six games, he still ranks as the third-best hitter among the team’s starters in 2026.

The Dodgers have been one of the hottest teams in baseball early this season, showing consistency both at home and on the road. Their series against the Rangers marks the second time this year they’ve opened a home series with a win, and so far, they’ve dropped just one home series, against the Cleveland Guardians.

Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Roberts explained his stance. “I like it. I think it’s good. It might be a little bit too perfect in the sense of a centimeter changes a call,” he said, while also noting that the system is pushing umpires to improve their performance.

The Dodgers have seen the effects early in the season, winning 50 percent of their ABS challenges so far. With a strong 9-3 start to the year, the team is not only competing at a high level but also adapting quickly to how the strike zone is being called.

Roberts sees benefits, but also small concerns

Roberts made it clear that he supports the system overall. He believes the added accountability is helping umpires stay sharp and improving the consistency of calls across games.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the precision of the system can be a double-edged sword. A call being decided by such a small margin can change key moments, which adds a new layer of pressure for both hitters and pitchers.

Dodgers hitters adjusting to new strike zone

One of the biggest impacts has been on hitters. According to Roberts, the system is helping players better understand the strike zone and adjust their approach at the plate. “It’s also helped our hitters really understanding the hitting zone, the strike zone,” he said. “They’re more in tune with it now.”

As the season continues, the Dodgers’ ability to adapt to these changes could become an advantage. For now, Roberts’ view reflects a mix of support and caution as the league continues to evaluate the long-term impact of ABS.

Before taking the mound, the Japanese sensation took an extended period to prepare for his start. As Springer waited at the dish, he engaged in a heated-looking discussion with the home plate umpire.

While fans initially speculated that the Blue Jays veteran was frustrated with Ohtani’s delay, a prominent MLB insider has now shed light on what actually transpired.

“I was told by two people directly involved this morning that Springer was not complaining at all,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal revealed. “George Springer was simply asking the home plate umpire for clarification that Shohei Ohtani indeed gets more time to warm up.”

With those details emerging, a situation that set social media ablaze appears to have been a simple misunderstanding. Regardless of the optics, the Blue Jays secured a much-needed win as they continue to navigate a roster decimated by a massive early-season injury list.

Dodgers’ manager weighed in

Despite the clarification that Springer wasn’t acting out of frustration, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also weighed in on the logistics surrounding his two-way superstar.

“Since the World Series, there have been comments around how much time Ohtani gets to ready himself to pitch after hitting,” Roberts told reporters. “But he’s been on the basepaths, so there should be some grace, which I think the umpires try to give him. If you’re on the other side, of course, you’d want to rush it.“

Roberts’ comments only added fuel to the fire on social media, where fans continue to debate whether the league offers Ohtani or the Dodgers preferential treatment. Controversy aside, the reality remains that the Blue Jays walked away with the win.

“Felt kind of nice to get a little frustration out,” Schneider said according to MLB.com, adding that the call was “definitely not a balk.” Still, his reaction didn’t change the game. Yoshinobu Yamamoto once again controlled the matchup, keeping Toronto’s offense quiet throughout the night.

The team’s struggles at the plate have become the main issue. Over its last six games, it has scored just 11 runs and hit only two home runs. Even in key moments, like having the bases loaded with no outs, the lineup has been unable to deliver, showing a clear lack of timely hitting, as Schneider recently admitted the Blue Jays aren’t playing “their baseball”.

Schneider calls for a key offensive response

“The way out of this is that someone needs to get the big hit,” Schneider said. “There are opportunities out there. It’s just a matter of who it’s going to be.” Injuries have made things harder, especially with Alejandro Kirk expected to miss several weeks, while players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer are still trying to find consistency at the plate.

Despite the struggles, Schneider believes the team’s mindset remains strong. The focus now is on staying consistent and trusting that results will come, even during a tough stretch early in the season.

Tough challenge ahead for Toronto

Things won’t get easier in the next game, with Shohei Ohtani set to take the mound for Los Angeles. The Blue Jays are still searching for momentum, and while the frustration is clear, the team knows it must quickly turn things around to stay competitive.

“Given the state of our team and our pitching staff, those were explicit directions. You cannot hurt yourself. You can’t take a risk,” Scherzer said, according to MLB.com. “It’s much better to be talking about this today after this start, a little forearm strain, versus a forearm strain. We’re not talking about that.”

The Blue Jays have now lost five straight games and will face Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani over the next two days, increasing reliance on an overworked bullpen that covered 21 innings in three days.

Rotation depth remains top concern

Manager John Schneider, who recently admitted that the Blue Jays aren’t playing “their baseball,” confirmed the plan for Scherzer was limited to three innings, aiming to preserve him for upcoming starts. Toronto is also evaluating Patrick Corbin, who recently threw 74 pitches at Single-A Dunedin, as a potential emergency starter if needed.

With injuries to Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and Shane Bieber, the Blue Jays are navigating a delicate balance between rehab assignments and filling innings at the major league level. The immediate goal is simply to maintain one healthy starter while bridging the gap to returning players.

Pitching staff faces continued challenges

Adam Macko and other Triple-A options provide short-term relief, but none offer the length the team desperately needs. Toronto’s rotation depth will continue to be tested until injured starters ramp up their workloads, leaving Scherzer’s cautious approach as a model of discipline amid uncertainty.

Ohtani is still recovering from an elbow procedure in September 2023, and the Dodgers are limiting his starts early in the season. “The Dodgers are taking a conservative approach with Ohtani to keep him healthy,” reported Katie Woo of The Athletic, emphasizing the team’s focus on long-term performance over immediate numbers.

The two-way star didn’t pitch in 2024 and appeared in only 14 regular-season games last year. While he performed well, the Dodgers are deliberately spacing out his starts and monitoring his innings to maximize his impact in October, ensuring he is fully prepared for the postseason, after Ohtani’s 11-K outing shifted from Spring Training test to Dodgers necessity.

Managing Ohtani’s workload strategically

The Dodgers are balancing Ohtani’s dual roles as a pitcher and hitter carefully. By spacing out his starts and monitoring his innings, they aim to reduce fatigue while still leveraging his unique abilities. This measured approach reflects a broader philosophy: the team isn’t holding him back out of fear, but rather engineering his availability for maximum impact in critical games.

Postseason preparation over regular-season stats

While Ohtani’s early-season numbers may not reflect his full talent, the strategy ensures he peaks at the right moment. The Dodgers are confident that when October arrives, their two-way star will be at his best, both on the mound and at the plate, giving Los Angeles a key advantage in the playoff race. The plan is less about immediate statistics and more about ensuring dominance when it matters most.

The update came from Fabian Ardaya on X, who shared video of Hernández taking full swings in the cage at the stadium. Based on previous timelines reported by Katie Woo, a potential return date could be around May 24, aligning with earlier expectations.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was impressed with what he saw following Hernández’s training work: “Taking grounders, the way he’s moving, the way he’s throwing, catching it, the swing, the ball coming off the bat, all that stuff—if I didn’t know any better, I would think he was in the lineup tonight.”

Who is filling Hernández’s role?

While Hernández continues his recovery, Andy Pages has been covering center field, a position Hernández can handle along with several others, given his value as a key utility player. He’s also been used as a pinch-hitter when needed.

With Hernández sidelined, the Dodgers are missing a player capable of stepping in across the outfield or even at first base if necessary. His versatility remains one of his biggest assets, even though he posted a .203 batting average last season across 92 MLB games.

The last time Hernández appeared in more than 100 games was in 2024, when he played 126 games with 362 at-bats, hitting .229 with 12 home runs, two more than he had in 2025 despite playing fewer games. If he returns on schedule, he could surpass last year’s workload and approach that earlier level of production.

“Feels great. Hopefully, at the end of this year, we can become a [three-time champion]. Starting off well tonight, audience and fans coming out and supporting us was unbelievable. Sold out,” Tucker said after the game in a brief interview with NBC Sports’ Bob Costas.

Tucker, who recently made a definitive statement on his role this season, contributed one hit, one RBI, and a walk in four plate appearances. Batting between Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, he slotted smoothly into the heart of a potent Dodgers lineup.

Tucker praises roster depth

“There are phenomenal players here, and everyone cares about the city and the fans,” Tucker added. Joining a lineup filled with stars, Tucker emphasized how much he values both the team’s talent and their commitment to representing Los Angeles.

Strong track record sets expectations

Tucker comes off a season with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs in 136 games, posting a 4.5 fWAR. He has maintained a 4.2 fWAR or better over the last five seasons, making him one of the most consistent outfielders in MLB. Dodgers fans can expect Tucker to bring reliable offensive output while complementing the team’s star-studded lineup.

In a Thursday interview with Katie Woo of The Athletic, Freeman discussed his desire to remain with the Dodgers while recognizing the realities of professional baseball. “I would love to stay here, but I would not want to be here if I’m hindering things,” he said.

After five seasons with the Dodgers, Freeman has already cemented his place in franchise history, winning a World Series MVP and earning multiple All-Star nods. Yet, despite his accomplishments, the veteran acknowledges that his continued stay depends on performance.

Freeman’s performance over the past two seasons hasn’t matched his 2023 campaign, when he finished third in MVP voting. Still, maintaining a baseline level of production makes it hard to imagine the Dodgers moving on from the veteran first baseman.

Freeman faces big year to prove longevity

Freeman openly admitted that this season is crucial to demonstrate he still has plenty left in the tank. With the Dodgers facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in their season opener, he sees the year as an opportunity to validate his value and reassure the front office of his continued contribution on the field.

Balancing desire with reality

While Freeman wants to finish his career in Los Angeles, he remains realistic about the team’s perspective. The tension between personal goals and organizational priorities is central to his situation, making 2026 a pivotal year for the Dodgers and one of baseball’s modern legends

According to MLB.com, manager Dave Roberts said, “He’s ready to go,” after Ohtani showed sharper intensity and execution in the Spring Training finale against the Los Angeles Angels.

The right-hander allowed three runs over four-plus innings but demonstrated command and the ability to overpower hitters, and afterward Roberts revealed the blueprint for Shohei Ohtani’s first Dodgers start.

Ohtani struck out six straight between the second and fourth innings, using a mix of pitches that included a curveball Roberts said helped “slow hitters down.” His ability to handle both left- and right-handed bats suggests he’s prepared for a larger role as the Dodgers navigate early-season injuries.

From buildup phase to immediate impact

Ohtani’s outing reflected more than routine spring work. After spending the offseason focused on strength rather than rehab, he appears physically ready and mentally sharper from months studying the game from the sidelines.

Dodgers rotation now depends on Ohtani

The Dodgers’ pitching situation has forced a shift in approach. With Snell and Stone expected to miss time, the team has limited flexibility and must rely more heavily on available arms.

Roberts acknowledged the challenge, noting the team must manage workloads carefully while still covering innings. Ohtani, who has identified 25 starts as an ideal target this season, now becomes a key piece in stabilizing both the rotation and a bullpen expected to carry a heavy load early.