Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is “symptom-free” with his strained right oblique. He won’t be activated when he’s eligible, but a good sign.

The Toronto Blue Jays appear to still be agitated by at least one thing from last year’s World Series: how long it takes Shohei Ohtani to warm up when he’s on the mound. www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Dodger Details on: - Shohei Ohtani saying he “didn’t feel great,” but getting through six strong innings - The bottom of the order - The gap Dalton Rushing must close: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Miguel Rojas is back in the Dodgers lineup one day after his father, Miguel Sr., died suddenly of a heart attack. “I decided to stay and do what my father would like me to do, which is play baseball,” Rojas said. On Rojas and his father: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

The Dodgers just announced that Davey Lopes, a four-time All-Star (and member of "The Infield") died today. He was 80 years old.

Dave Roberts said he does expect Miguel Rojas to go on leave at some point following the passing of his father, but said Rojas approached him and said he wanted to be in the lineup today.

On Alex Vesia getting his moment in Toronto: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

So what happened to the baseball from the final outs of Game 7 of last year's World Series? Freddie Freeman wanted it to stick with Dave Roberts, who called it "one of the biggest honors I've ever received." Talked to both of them about it (unlocked): www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

Dave Roberts said he wanted Will Smith to catch Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani the next couple days, which was a factor in the decision.

Mookie Betts said he hurt his oblique running the bases. Wasn’t quite sure what caused it, but felt it grab. He strained his oblique in 2018 (the other one) on a swing, and said this one already feels way better than that one.

Dodgers vs RH Scherzer back in Toronto: Ohtani DH, Tucker 9, Freeman 3, T. Hernández 7, Muncy 5, Pages 8, Freeland 4, Rushing 2, Kim 6, Wrobleski LHP Second straight start for Dalton Rushing. FWIW, Will Smith is down in the bullpen right now for Emmet Sheehan’s ‘pen.

Here is where Miguel Rojas’ home run landed in Game 7.

The Dodgers are back in Toronto for the first time since the swing of Miguel Rojas' life. ICYMI, Rojas broke down his game-tying home run in Game 7 pitch by pitch back in spring training: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Today marks the first time the Dodgers have put up a 10 spot on an individual pitcher since May 28, 2023 against Josh Fleming: www.sports-reference.com/stathead/bas...

On Shohei Ohtani’s batting practice, a slow start on offense and some more I’m seeing from the Dodgers’ first homestand: www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

So that's now two optionable arms – Grant Holman and Jake Eder – the Dodgers have acquired today to stash depth.

Dodgers say they claimed RHP Grant Holman from the Diamondbacks. Gavin Stone was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man spot.

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani’s next pitching outing will likely be the last day in Toronto. Also, he reiterated from last night that Justin Wrobleski will start one of the games on this upcoming road trip.

Shohei Ohtani’s back on the mound. He might be better. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Dodgers issued a corrected lineup vs RH Bibee (flipping Freeman and Smith): Ohtani DH, Tucker 9, Betts 6, Freeman 3, Smith 2, Muncy 5, T. Hernández 7, Pages 8, Freeland 4, Ohtani RHP

By his own admission, no one needed yesterday’s start to go well for Roki Sasaki more than Sasaki himself. On something he and the Dodgers can build on: www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Dave Roberts said Roki Sasaki is built up to around 90 pitches. If they have to bail him out early, Justin Wrobleski is available and the Dodgers have a largely rested bullpen after yesterday’s off day.

Dodgers vs LH Messick: Ohtani DH, Tucker 9, Betts 6, T. Hernández 7, Freeman 3, Pages 8, Muncy 5, Rojas 4, Rushing 2, Sasaki RHP

Per Elias (and the Dodgers): This will be the first time in major league history that a team will start a Japanese-born pitcher in three straight games. Tonight: Roki Sasaki Tomorrow: Shohei Ohtani Wednesday: Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Some Dodger Details coming off a series sweep, including: - Is Andy Pages an extension candidate? - Emmet Sheehan’s velocity www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Nicely done by the Dodgers to celebrate @ericstephen.bsky.social

Kiké Hernández is hitting on the field today, another positive step as he works his way back from offseason elbow surgery.

Dodgers vs LHP Rodríguez: Ohtani DH, Tucker 9, Betts 6, Smith 2, Freeman 3, T. Hernández 7, Espinal 5, Pages 8, Rojas 4, Glasnow RHP

Clayton Kershaw is back with the Dodgers. On his new role as special assistant, his NBC debut and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Clayton Kershaw has officially been brought on as a Dodgers special assistant. What that means going forward is fluid, but the organization obviously wasn’t shy they want to keep him involved.

Brock Stewart (shoulder) is facing hitters today.

Dodgers vs RH Nelson: Ohtani DH, Tucker 9, Betts 6, Freeman 3, Smith 2, Muncy 5, T. Hernández 7, Pages 8, Freeland 4, Sheehan RHP

Here are some Dodgers prospects beyond the big names you might want to follow over the course of the season: www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

The Dodgers know the history they’re pursuing. It’s hard to avoid. But Opening Day provided a pretty strong start as they go after a three-peat (unlocked): www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

River Ryan isn't listed on OKC's roster or in the probables listed to open the Triple-A season. Plan for River Ryan, I'm told, is for him to throw in Arizona this weekend before joining OKC to start his season.

A reminder: @TheAthleticMLB has had a live blog going on all day for Opening Day, which will continue through Dodgers-Diamondbacks tonight. www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

What starting on Opening Day means to Miguel Rojas ahead of his final season:

Clayton Kershaw is back at Dodger Stadium for NBC.

The trophies are here for Opening Day.

The Dodgers on Opening Day: Ohtani DH, Tucker 9, Betts 6, Freeman 3, Smith 2, Muncy 5, T. Hernández 9, Pages 8, Rojas 4, Yamamoto RHP

Per source: Jake Cousins’ deal is worth $950,000, with a chance at $50,000 more if he appears in at least five games this year and finishes on the active roster. Dodgers taking a flier on some second-half bullpen help if Cousins comes back healthy from Tommy John surgery.

Landon Knack is dealing with an intercostal strain, a source said. The rest of the injuries were known.

Among a series of unannounced moves on the Dodgers transaction log: - they signed reliever Jake Cousins, who is recovering from TJ - placed Tommy Edman, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Snell, Brock Stewart, Gavin Stone, Landon Knack on the 15-day IL - placed Bobby Miller on 60-day IL

The Dodgers have talent. Plenty of it. But they’ve managed to cultivate a group where that talent doesn’t turn on each other. No squabbling over roles or egos. Rarely any disharmony. On how that clubhouse could steward a post-Kershaw era (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Dave Roberts said the Dodgers felt Alex Freeland showed more in at-bat quality than his poor spring numbers indicated. Goal is to get Hyeseong Kim everyday at-bats in OKC to keep going through swing tweaks, with Freeland starting at 2B vs. RHP.

Related: Alex Freeland was informed he made the Dodgers, per source.

The Dodgers optioned Hyeseong Kim to the minors. He won’t make the Opening Day roster.

Not that it should register as much of a surprise, but Emmet Sheehan said he’s been told he will be a starter to open the year. Not official what day he will start in the opening homestand.

The Dodgers will carry a sixth starter of sorts to open the season, Dave Roberts said. That pitcher would likely be a piggyback the first time through the rotation, as the off days mean they won't need a sixth starter until mid-April.

A stock report on the Dodgers' starting pitchers, with the group close to set for Opening Day: www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...