Dodgers' Dave Roberts makes Kyle Tucker lineup decision amid Freddie Freeman Spring Training debut originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to win the 2026 World Series, which would mark their third consecutive championship. The Dodgers undoubtedly have the best lineup in baseball, along with several elite arms to send to the mound. However, one of the best hitters — and pitchers — in Shohei Ohtani is leaving Spring Training to compete for Team Japan.

“Dave Roberts said today was Shohei Ohtani’s last day in camp. He’ll be leaving for the WBC tonight/tomorrow,” California Post’s Jack Harris wrote.

The Dodgers also had one of the strongest offseasons in baseball, adding top free agents such as Edwin Diaz. Los Angeles was locked in a lengthy battle with the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays for star free agent Kyle Tucker. In the end, it was the Dodgers who won the sweepstakes and landed the superstar.

“Kyle Tucker, the consensus best player available in free agency, agreed to join the Dodgers on Thursday, sources told ESPN, a little more than a month after star closer Edwin Diaz did the same. Tucker's deal is for four years at $240 million and includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez wrote.

Adding another superstar is a luxury, but for manager Dave Roberts, it also creates the challenge of constructing the right lineup. Tucker’s spot appears secure after Roberts saw him share the field with Freddie Freeman during the veteran’s Spring Training debut.

"As we stand here today, I like that going forward. It could change at some point for whatever unforeseen circumstances,” Roberts said. “But I just feel with Kyle in the 2, lefty-righty matchups don’t bother him. He’s an on-base machine and that starts to bleed into guys in the 3-4-5 that I feel really good about being run producers and hitting with guys on base – yeah, I sort of like that now."

Building a lineup full of superstars is not easy, but it gives the Dodgers flexibility. They can mix and match, making it difficult for opposing teams to line up their bullpens effectively. Tucker adds another left-handed bat to the order, which only strengthens an already dangerous lineup.

The top four in the Dodgers’ lineup will likely be Ohtani, Tucker, Mookie Betts, and Freeman. Even though it’s only Spring Training, having clarity this early is valuable. It certainly appears that Roberts has a strong vision for how Tucker fits into the mix.

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