Roberts foresees difficulties for LA's late arrivals

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers now have at least nine players not participating in daily workouts, a list headed by closer Kenley Jansen and potential Rookie of the Year candidate Gavin Lux. With Opening Day rapidly approaching, manager Dave Roberts conceded that those absent might be compromised when the sprint begins.

“Being late to Summer Camp certainly puts them behind the eight ball because of the repetitions, getting the at-bats, the innings, all that stuff makes it a little more difficult,” said Roberts.

Roberts had previously confirmed that Jansen, Pedro Báez, Lux, A.J. Pollock, Scott Alexander and Keibert Ruiz had not reported to Summer Camp. On Monday, the Dodgers placed Zach Reks, Cody Thomas and Edwin Uceta on the 10-day injured list, with Roberts declining to give a reason why. Tony Gonsolin took part in workouts on Tuesday for the first time since camp officially opened on Friday.

That’s 10 missing from a player pool of 51, in addition to David Price, who elected not to play, and Jimmy Nelson, out with back surgery.

Gonsolin’s absence essentially eliminates him from a starting spot, while the number of relievers could put the Dodgers' bullpen in jeopardy in the early phase of the 60-game season.

Roberts said he’s confident Clayton Kershaw, Ross Stripling and Alex Wood will be built up to seven innings or 100 pitches by their first regular-season start, but less certain where Walker Buehler and Julio Urías will be with their workload. Roberts’ inclusion of Stripling is further evidence that he’s the likely replacement for Price.

Ramos throws bullpen
New reliever AJ Ramos threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Monday. Roberts said Ramos was not signed because so many of his relievers are absent, instead crediting scout Vance Lovelace for independently alerting baseball operations that the former Marlins closer was worth a shot. Ramos saved 40 games in 2016, but hasn’t pitched in two years because of shoulder surgery.

Ríos goes deep
Edwin Ríos homered off Blake Treinen in a three-inning intrasquad game Wednesday night at an empty Dodger Stadium. In addition to Treinen, Dylan Floro, Adam Kolarek, Dennis Santana, Marshall Kasowski also pitched. Ríos, who also singled, hit four home runs in 47 at-bats in his debut season last year.