Bruiser Graterol, Will Smith, Gavin Lux and 9 more tender contracts

The Los Angeles Dodgers 40-man roster will remain nearly full for the time being as they have tendered a contract to each of their 12 players who are eligible for salary arbitration.

The group of Dodgers arbitration players includes Yancy Almonte, Walker Buehler, Caleb Ferguson, JP Feyereisen, Victor Gonzalez, Brusder Graterol, Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Evan Phillips, Will Smith, Alex Vescia and Ryan Yarbrough.

Wander Suero gave the Dodgers an initial 13 players who were eligible for salary arbitration, but they chose free agency.

Each of the above players have three or more years of Major League service time, but less than six years, which makes them eligible for salary arbitration for the 2024 season.

Although the Dodgers retain the rights to the group, they are not officially under contract for next season. The Dodgers will continue to discuss a new contract with each other, and if they have not agreed on salaries by the January 12 deadline, the team and players will exchange salary figures for the upcoming season.

If necessary, the arbitration hearing will be held from January 29 to February 16. After hearing arguments from both sides, a three-person panel will select either the player or the team, but not an in-between, as the salary for the upcoming season. ,

Teams can continue to negotiate contract terms after the deadline, but Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has historically operated under a file and test approach. Exceptions have arisen when signing players to multi-year contracts.

Yancy Almonte

After becoming a key member of the bullpen in 2022, Yancy Almonte was inconsistent this year and ultimately landed on the 15-day injured list due to a right knee sprain in early August.

Almonte was eligible for arbitration for the second time in his career, and reportedly agreed to a $1.9 million salary.

walker buehler

Walker Buehler was hoping to provide a late boost to the Dodgers’ rotation, but after rehabbing for Triple-A Oklahoma City, the decision was made to look ahead to 2024.

Buehler is in his final year of salary arbitration. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract in February 2021 and avoided an arbitration hearing with the Dodgers.

Caleb Ferguson

Caleb Ferguson received several high-leverage opportunities last season before his struggles led to being used primarily as an opener and multi-inning reliever.

Ferguson is also entering his final year of arbitration.

JP Fairiesen

The Dodgers acquired JP Feyereisen in December 2022 with the understanding that he would likely miss most, if not the entire season, due to recovery from right rotator cuff and labrum surgery.

Feyereisen has not actually pitched for the Dodgers yet and is arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career.

Victor Gonzalez

After not pitching for the Dodgers since 2021, Gonzalez recorded 33.2 innings this year, finishing with a 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a .223 batting average.

He is another member of the Dodgers organization who is going through arbitration for the first time.

Bruiser Graterole

Brusder Graterol took a step forward in 2023 and became one of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ most trusted relievers. Graterol’s first salary for the 2024 season is eligible for arbitration.

Gavin Lux

Gavin Lux was set to be an everyday shortstop last season, but he tore the ACL and LCL in his right knee during spring training.

This prevented Lux ​​from taking the field and he is now going through arbitration for the first time.

dustin may

Dustin May was poised to play a bigger role this year but required season-ending elbow surgery. This included repair of May’s right flexor tendon in addition to an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction revision from a previous Tommy John operation.

There is a possibility May will not return during the 2024 season, making him eligible for salary arbitration for the first time.

evan phillips

Evan Phillips successfully filled the role of Dodgers closer and is now going through arbitration for the first time.

Will Smith

Will Smith completed his fourth season as a full-time catcher and is in center field for the first time in his career.

alex vesia

It was a challenging season for Alex Vessia after his breakout performance in 2022, but he ultimately settled down a bit after spending time with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Vesia is now among the Dodgers who are arbitration-eligible for the first time.

Ryan Yarbrough

Ryan Yarbrough successfully filled the swingman role after being acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, but some believed he could be a non-tender candidate.

Instead, Yarbrough is now going through arbitration for the final time.

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