Dodgers Notebook: Freeman debuts, Stone strong in return, Sasaki's spring debut looms

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The velocity was crisp. The changeup had its dive. And perhaps most importantly, the smile was back.

For the first time since August 2024, Gavin Stone stood on a major league mound in game action, retiring all three hitters he faced in the Dodgers’ 11-3 Cactus League win over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch. 

One inning. 15 pitches. Two strikeouts. Efficient and encouraging.

Stone, who started the most games for the Dodgers in 2024 before shoulder surgery shut him down late that season, looked every bit like a pitcher intent on reclaiming a rotation spot in 2026. He struck out two hitters with his changeup — the pitch that’s long been his separator — and sat 94-95 mph with his fastball.

“Rehab was a grind, but it’s good to get back out there,” Stone said postgame. “Perseverance, there’s a lot of days it hurts. A lot of bad days, relying on Jesus and my family and the confidence they give me.”

The Dodgers will need to lean on their starting pitching depth early in the season, and Stone has quickly reinserted himself into that conversation. Coaches have raved about his spring work, and Tuesday was the first public glimpse.

“This guy's gonna over-achieve and over-deliver,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Stone’s goal is straightforward: “Make the team out of camp.”

Given his track record and Tuesday’s showing, he’s firmly in the mix.

Freeman’s Swing Ahead of Schedule

While Stone’s return commanded attention on the mound, Freddie Freeman provided a reminder of how dangerous the lineup can be when healthy.

Freeman made his Cactus League debut and wasted little time flashing form, going 1-for-2 with a double to left-center that plated two runs. He later said driving the ball the other way this early in camp was telling.

“It’s nice to be able to hit a ball to left-center already, that’s a good sign,” Freeman said. “After a normal offseason, that’s where you want to be.”

Freeman, who plans to take around 45-50 at-bats this spring, also got his first in-game exposure to the ABS challenge system. But the bigger takeaway was the freedom in his swing — something he didn’t always feel last spring.

A Top of the Order Taking Shape

The Dodgers’ 4-0 start to Cactus League play (34-6 run differential) has come with experimentation, but there are hints that the top of the lineup is crystallizing. Roberts has previously floated the idea of keeping Shohei Ohtani in the leadoff spot, followed by newly acquired Kyle Tucker hitting second, with Mookie Betts sliding into the three-hole and Freeman batting cleanup.

Tuesday’s lineup offered a preview. Tucker hit second. Freeman hit fourth.

“As we stand here today, I like that going forward. It could change at some point for whatever unforeseen circumstances,” Roberts said. “But I just feel with Kyle in the 2, lefty-righty matchups don’t bother him. He’s an on-base machine and that starts to bleed into guys in the 3-4-5 that I feel really good about being run producers and hitting with guys on base. Yeah, I sort of like that now.”

On paper, it’s relentless. In practice, it could be suffocating for opposing pitching.

All Eyes on Sasaki

Next up: Roki Sasaki.

Sasaki is scheduled to make his spring debut Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, his first start since May 2025. When he returned late last season, the Dodgers deployed him as a high-end reliever — and he thrived in the role. But the organization still views him as a starter long term.

With rotation spots open and innings to be accounted for, Sasaki’s spring will be one of the most closely watched developments in camp. Can he stretch back out and win a job? Or does his dominant relief profile remain the safer play? For now, the Dodgers are simply stacking good days. Stone’s return. Freeman’s bat. An offense rolling out of the gate. Four games in, the tone of camp is unmistakable: deep, dangerous — and not short on comeback stories.