LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said outfielder Alvin Toles was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City so he could play every day coming off last year's knee surgery instead of sitting on the big league bench.
Roberts spoke before Thursday's Opening Day game with the Giants for the first time since the Dodgers made their final roster moves, which included keeping outfielder Joc Pederson and catcher James Farmer, as well as placing right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia on the 10-day disabled list.
"It's been a while since Andrew has played," Roberts said of Toles, who last appeared in a regular-season game on May 9, when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. "This gives him that opportunity."
Toles hit .283 with three homers and 10 RBIs over 25 spring games this year, but also had 15 strikeouts and one walk in 53 at-bats. Pederson beat him out for the fourth outfield spot, despite hitting .148 with one homer and two RBIs, 15 strikeouts and six walks in 54 at-bats over 21 games.
"With Joc, it's one of those [things] where, toward the end of the season, Joc was starting to figure things out and had a great postseason," said Roberts. "Still working through things in the spring, didn't have the results. But we just felt the process is in place and the results will be there for Joc."
Roberts said the loss of Justin Turner with a fractured wrist contributed to the addition of Farmer, who can pinch-hit, play third base and free up catchers Yasmani Grandal or Austin Barnes for pinch-hitting when they don't start.
The club opens the season with 13 pitchers, eight in the bullpen. Of the 25-man roster from last year's World Series, 18 will be active on Thursday.
The Dodgers open the campaign with four players on the disabled list: Turner, Garcia, Tom Koehler and Julio Urias. The Dodgers began last season with six players on the disabled list.
The likely roster:
Pitchers (13): Scott Alexander (L), Pedro Baez (R), JT Chargois (R), Tony Cingrani (L), Josh Fields (R), Wilmer Font (R), Rich Hill (L), Kenley Jansen (R), Clayton Kershaw (L), Kenta Maeda (R), Hyun-Jin Ryu (L), Thomas Stripling (R), Alex Wood (L)
Catchers (3): Barnes (R), Farmer (R), Grandal (SH)
Infielders (4):Cody Bellinger (L), John Forsythe (R), Corey Seager (L), Chase Utley (L)
Outfielders (4):Matt Kemp (R), Pederson (L), Yasiel Puig (R), Chris Taylor (R)
Infielder/outfielder (1):Enrique Hernandez (SH)
Disabled list (4): Koehler (10-day, shoulder), Turner (10-day, wrist), Garcia (10-day, elbow surgery rehab), Urias (60-day, shoulder)