NL West: Effects of the 2026 WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers

Significant WBC participants: Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico), Hyeseong Kim (Korea) Shohei Ohtani (Japan), Will Smith (United States), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Japan)

Spring training effects: The Los Angeles MegaStars are so loaded with talent that the absence of a few of those stars for WBC is probably barely felt. Despite the apparent security up and down the Dodgers’ lineup, there are two intriguing – and possibly significant – implications for the team in light of Hyeseong Kim’s and Will Smith’s WBC time away.

Kim’s absence comes right as he finds himself in a competition for the 2B starting job, which should be open for however long Tommy Edman is on the injured list. Kim has shown some possible offensive growth...

Almost!

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