The Dodgers Could Lose One of Their Best Players in Spring Training 2025 Because of This Shocking Twist

March 26, 2025 – The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their 2024 World Series triumph, entered Spring Training 2025 as the undisputed kings of Major League Baseball. With a roster boasting superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, plus new additions like Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers are favored to repeat as champions. However, a dark cloud looms over Camelback Ranch: the team could lose one of their best players before Opening Day due to a devastating injury setback. As the 2025 season inches closer, whispers of this potential loss are sending shockwaves through the MLB world.

The Injury Risk Haunting the Dodgers’ Star-Studded Roster

Spring Training is a time of optimism, but it’s also a minefield of injury risks. For the Dodgers, who kicked off their 2025 campaign with a sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series on March 18-19, the stakes are higher than ever. The team’s depth is unparalleled, but even they can’t afford to lose a cornerstone player. The prime candidate? First baseman Freddie Freeman, whose recent health scare in Tokyo has raised red flags.

Freeman, a 2020 NL MVP and eight-time All-Star, was scratched from the Opening Day lineup in Tokyo due to left rib discomfort. While he downplayed the issue, estimating a “75 percent chance” of playing Game 2, manager Dave Roberts opted for caution, sidelining him for the series finale. Freeman returned to the U.S. with the team, but as Spring Training resumes stateside, reports suggest he’s still not 100%. Rib injuries, often linked to oblique strains, can linger, and for a 35-year-old slugger who logged 159 games in 2024, this could spell trouble. If Freeman’s condition worsens—say, a fracture or severe strain—he could miss significant time, leaving the Dodgers scrambling to fill a gaping hole at first base.

Why Freeman’s Potential Loss Would Be Catastrophic

Freeman’s value to the Dodgers can’t be overstated. In 2024, he hit .282 with 22 home runs and 89 RBIs, earning his seventh Silver Slugger. His postseason heroics—batting .333 with 4 homers in the World Series—solidified his status as a clutch performer. Beyond stats, Freeman’s leadership steadies a lineup packed with high-profile egos. Losing him in Spring Training 2025 would disrupt the Dodgers’ chemistry and force adjustments to an offense that’s expected to shatter records.

The Dodgers have options—Max Muncy could slide to first, and prospect Dalton Rushing might get a call-up—but none match Freeman’s consistency. Muncy, while versatile, struggled with injuries in 2024, and Rushing, despite a .271/.391/.506 line in the minors, isn’t ready for everyday MLB duty. If Freeman’s sidelined for weeks or months, the Dodgers’ +500 odds to win the 2025 World Series (per FOX Sports) could take a hit, especially in a loaded NL West where the Padres and Giants are lurking.

Other Threats: Trade Rumors and Ohtani’s Pitching Delay

Injury isn’t the only risk. Trade rumors could also rob the Dodgers of a star. Outfielder Teoscar Hernández, a 2024 All-Star who hit .272 with 33 homers, is a free agent after the season. With his $23.5 million one-year deal expiring, rival teams might push for a mid-Spring Training trade if the Dodgers hesitate on an extension. Hernández’s exit would weaken the outfield, already thin with Mookie Betts nursing a mysterious illness from Tokyo and James Outman still developing. Losing Hernández now—perhaps to a contender like the Yankees or Mets—would be a gut punch to L.A.’s depth.

Then there’s Shohei Ohtani, the two-way unicorn whose pitching return remains uncertain. After labrum surgery in 2023, Ohtani was projected to pitch by Opening Day 2025, but the Dodgers have slowed his ramp-up. He dazzled at the plate in Tokyo—going 3-for-8 with a homer—but hasn’t thrown a competitive pitch this spring. If complications arise, like elbow soreness or a setback in rehab, the Dodgers could lose half of Ohtani’s value for the season. His 2024 DH-only stats (.310, 54 HRs, 130 RBIs) were MVP-worthy, but his 3.54 career ERA as a pitcher is a weapon L.A. can’t afford to miss.

The Tokyo Series Fallout: A Warning Sign?

The Tokyo Series offered a glimpse of the Dodgers’ vulnerabilities. Mookie Betts, the 2024 NLCS MVP, left Japan early due to a non-contagious illness that sapped his strength. While he’s expected back for domestic Opening Day on March 27, any recurrence could sideline him during Spring Training’s final stretch. Betts, 32, played 159 games in 2024, but his slight frame and heavy workload make him a durability concern. A prolonged absence would test the Dodgers’ outfield reserves and shift pressure onto Ohtani and Hernández.

Roki Sasaki’s debut in Game 2 also raised eyebrows. The 23-year-old phenom hit triple digits with his fastball but struggled with command, walking five in three innings. If Sasaki’s adjustment to MLB hitters falters in Spring Training, the Dodgers might lose confidence in their $325 million investment, forcing reliance on veterans like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow—both of whom have injury histories.

What the Experts Are Saying

Analysts are split on the Dodgers’ risks. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez warned, “Freeman’s rib issue could be a sleeper problem—those injuries don’t heal fast for older players.” On X, fans are anxious: “If Freeman’s out, we’re cooked early,” one posted, while another speculated, “Trade Hernández now before we lose him for nothing.” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand noted Sasaki’s debut as “a red flag,” suggesting the Dodgers’ rotation depth might be tested sooner than expected.

How the Dodgers Could Adapt

If Freeman goes down, the Dodgers’ front office, led by Andrew Friedman, has the resources to pivot. A trade for a first baseman like Pete Alonso (Mets) or Christian Walker (D-backs) could stabilize the lineup, though it’d cost prospects like Rushing or Nick Frasso. For Betts or Hernández, Andy Pages and Outman could step up, but neither matches the star power. Ohtani’s pitching absence is trickier—Glasnow and Yamamoto would need to anchor the staff, with Sasaki as a wild card.

The Bigger Picture for 2025

The Dodgers’ Spring Training 2025 narrative is one of cautious optimism. They’re the team to beat, with a roster ESPN ranks No. 1 entering the season. But losing Freeman, Hernández, Betts, or Ohtani’s arm could derail their repeat bid. The NL is stacked—Philly, Atlanta, and San Diego are all +1000 or better to win the pennant—and a single injury could level the playing field.

Picture this: March 27, Dodger Stadium. Opening Day arrives, but Freeman’s in street clothes, Betts is day-to-day, and Ohtani’s still a DH. The crowd roars, but the vibe is uneasy. Spring Training’s final week will decide if this nightmare becomes reality.

Final Thoughts

The Dodgers’ dynasty dreams hinge on health and stability. Freeman’s ribs, Betts’ recovery, Hernández’s future, and Ohtani’s arm are the X-factors. Will they dodge disaster, or will Spring Training 2025 mark the beginning of an unexpected stumble? Dodgers Nation, hold your breath—the next few days could change everything.

What do you think? Can the Dodgers survive a major loss? Share your take below and stay locked in for the latest MLB updates!