LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers announced their list of non-roster invitees to spring training and it includes one big name – Roki Sasaki.
Because of his status as an international free agent under age 25, the much-coveted Sasaki officially signed a minor-league contract and is not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. He is not expected to throw a pitch in the minor leagues, however, and before the start of the regular season, he will be added to the major-league roster with a spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation all but assured.
The 23 other non-roster players extended invitations to big-league camp include top prospects Dalton Rushing, Jackson Ferris, Alex Freeland, Jared Karros, Zyhir Hope and Josue DePaula as well as eight players with at least some major-league experience.
That group is led by former St. Louis Cardinals closer Giovanny Gallegos, an eight-year veteran who signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers this winter.
Others with major-league experience are pitchers Jose Hernandez, Julian Fernandez, Joe Jacques, Jose Rodriguez and Matt Sauer, catcher Chris Okey and former Chicago Cubs infielder David Bote.
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Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 10 with the first workout on Feb. 11. The Dodgers’ first full-squad workout is Feb. 15 with the first Cactus League game on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers and Cubs open the regular season with two games at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 18 and 19.