Dodgers' Free Agent Signee Won’t Travel to Korea
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made several announcements Monday regarding the Dodgers' pitching plans for the Seoul Series on March 20 and March 21.
Notably, James Paxton will not be going to Korea since he is not scheduled to pitch in either of the Dodgers' exhibition or regular-season games, as relayed by multiple reports (including The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya).
The Dodgers signed Paxton to a one-year, $7 million free agent contract in January. Instead of pitching in one of the first two games of the season, Paxton will remain in Arizona instead.
The Dodgers and San Diego Padres may bring 31 players on their traveling roster to Seoul. Only 26 may be active for the two regular season games, but the other five are allowed to participate in the three exhibition games.
With limited space for travel, Paxton will be one of the players left behind. So far through Cactus League action, Paxton has pitched two innings. He's allowed two hits, one earned run, zero walks and struck out four hitters.
In addition, Roberts announced that Michael Grove and Gavin Stone will be traveling to Korea, but they have not made an official decision on the fifth starter yet.
Keep an eye on Stone, who has excelled through Spring Training so far. Stone has pitched 9.2 innings. He's allowed five hits, one earned run, one walk and struck out nine hitters for an ERA of 0.93.
As expected, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be the two starters in Korea. Glasnow will get the first start of the year on March 20, while March 21 will get the second start.
