The Dodgers have officially rolled out the welcome mat for Spring Training, announcing a full slate of 32 non-roster invitees (NRIs) as they gear up for another run at October. The group features a mix of familiar organizational faces and offseason additions-17 pitchers, five catchers, four infielders, and six outfielders-most of whom are looking to make a strong impression in camp.
Pitchers and catchers are set to report on February 13, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for February 16. But while the headline names in camp might be the stars, it’s often these under-the-radar invitees who shape a team’s depth-and potentially its destiny-over the course of a long season.
Among the new faces flying a bit under the radar are catcher Seby Zavala and right-handed reliever Jordan Weems, both of whom signed minor league deals this winter and are confirmed to be in camp with the big league squad.
Catching Depth Gets a Boost
Zavala, who spent last season in Triple-A with the Red Sox organization, adds another layer to a catching room that already includes Will Smith, Dalton Rushing, and Ben Rortvedt-who was recently reclaimed off waivers from the Reds. Zavala brings big league experience, but his 2025 numbers weren’t exactly eye-popping: a .164/.273/.333 slash line and a 36% strikeout rate in Triple-A. Still, he’s a known quantity behind the plate, and in a position that values defense and game-calling as much as offensive production, Zavala could prove to be a valuable insurance policy.
His presence becomes even more relevant when you factor in Rortvedt’s situation. The left-handed-hitting backstop is out of minor league options, meaning he can’t be sent to Triple-A without first clearing waivers.
If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the Dodgers risk losing him again-potentially thinning out their catching depth. That scenario would leave Zavala and fellow NRI Chuckie Robinson as the primary depth options behind Smith and Rushing.
It’s a small but important subplot to follow this spring. With injuries always a possibility and the grind of a 162-game season demanding depth, the Dodgers are making sure they’re covered behind the plate.
Jordan Weems: Veteran Arm Looking for a Role
On the pitching side, Jordan Weems is another name worth watching. The 33-year-old right-hander has pitched in parts of six MLB seasons, though he’s struggled to maintain a consistent role in recent years.
Last season, he logged just six appearances for the Astros, and his last extended run came in 2024, when he posted a 6.70 ERA over 41.2 innings. That rough stretch led to a DFA in August, after which he cleared waivers and finished the year at Triple-A Rochester.
So what does Weems bring to the table in 2026? He’s got a live arm and a track record of missing bats when things are working.
But at this stage of his career, he’s battling for relevancy in a deep Dodgers bullpen picture. Spring Training will be his proving ground.
If he can show improved command and consistency, there’s a path to a bullpen spot-or at the very least, a role as a dependable depth arm stashed in Triple-A.
Big Picture: Depth Today, Impact Tomorrow
For a team with championship aspirations, these types of minor league signings and non-roster invites don’t always grab headlines-but they matter. The Dodgers understand that winning over a full season requires more than just the stars. It takes a full 40-man roster and then some.
Zavala and Weems may not be front and center when the season opens, but they’re part of the infrastructure that helps the Dodgers stay competitive from April through October. Whether they make the Opening Day roster or not, their presence gives the club options-and in baseball, options are everything.