You’ve seen the headlines, right? Everyone is refreshing their feeds for "game highlights" and checking the box scores. But here is the thing: it’s January 15, 2026. If you're looking for Shohei Ohtani launching a 450-foot bomb into the Pavilions or Mookie Betts making a sliding catch in right field today, you’re going to be waiting a while.
The Dodgers aren't playing a game today. Honestly, nobody in MLB is.
We are smack in the middle of the "Hot Stove" season. While there aren't any actual highlights of today's Dodger game in terms of runs, hits, or errors, the front office is playing a high-stakes game of chess that basically determines if they’ll be hoisting another trophy in October. Today’s "highlights" are happening in the boardrooms and on the phones of agents, not on the diamond at Chavez Ravine.
The Kyle Tucker Rumors Are Exploding Today
The real action today—the stuff that actually matters for your 2026 season tickets—is the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes. If you’ve been following the rumors, you know the Dodgers are "lurking." That’s the word being tossed around by insiders like Bob Nightengale.
The Mets and Blue Jays are reportedly offering massive, long-term deals. We’re talking $300 million territory. But the Dodgers? They’re playing it differently. Word on the street is they’ve offered Tucker a "huge short-term deal." It’s the same playbook they used with Trevor Bauer and even similar to the structured madness of the Ohtani contract.
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- The Mets' Offer: High AAV, likely around $50 million, long term.
- The Blue Jays' Offer: Stability and years, but maybe less cash per season.
- The Dodgers' Play: Massive money for a few years, giving Tucker a chance to hit free agency again while he’s still young.
Adding a lefty bat like Tucker to a lineup that already features Ohtani and Freddie Freeman? That’s basically a video game roster.
Roster Shuffling: The Andy Ibáñez Move
While everyone is dreaming of Kyle Tucker, the Dodgers actually made a real-life roster move over the last 24 hours that tells us a lot about their bench strategy. They officially signed utility man Andy Ibáñez to a one-year, $1.2 million deal.
To make room for him on the 40-man roster, they had to DFA Ryan Fitzgerald. If you feel a bit of whiplash, I don't blame you. Fitzgerald was only with the organization for about five minutes. He was claimed off waivers from the Twins just last week, and now he’s already heading back into the waiver wire abyss.
Ibáñez is a classic Andrew Friedman move. He’s 32, he’s spent time with the Tigers and Rangers, and he can play all over the infield. He’s not going to win an MVP, but when Max Muncy needs a day off or someone gets a nagging hamstring pull in May, Ibáñez is the guy who keeps the ship from sinking. He slashed .251/.304/.392 in Detroit, which isn't eye-popping, but the Dodgers have a weird knack for taking "average" guys and turning them into postseason heroes.
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What Happened to the Rotation?
If you're looking for highlights of today's Dodger game, you're likely thinking about the pitching. The 2026 rotation is looking... different.
Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney have both officially retired. It feels like the end of an era, doesn't it? Kershaw leaving creates a massive void, not just in the stats, but in the soul of the team. But the "highlights" for the pitching staff right now are all about health.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Currently in Japan hosting a talk show with Nike, but more importantly, he's the undisputed ace now.
- Roki Sasaki: He’s the wildcard. After making his debut in 2025 and dealing with some shoulder impingement, his off-season progression is the most watched "game" in the organization right now.
- River Ryan: He’s coming back from Tommy John. He’s throwing again. He won't be in the Opening Day rotation (he'll likely start in Triple-A), but his recovery is ahead of schedule.
The 2026 Schedule is Already Set
Since there’s no game today, let’s look at when there will be one. MLB released the 2026 schedule, and it’s a doozy. Unlike the last two years where the Dodgers started in South Korea or Japan, 2026 starts right at home.
Opening Day 2026: March 26th vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
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That’s only about ten weeks away. We also have "Rivalry Weekend" coming up in May (Dodgers at Angels) and a massive series at Yankee Stadium starting July 17th. If you’re planning your summer, keep July 14th open—that’s the All-Star Game in Philly.
Why the "Short-Term" Strategy Matters
A lot of fans get frustrated. They see the Mets offering 10 years to guys and wonder why the Dodgers won't just "pay up."
Basically, the Dodgers are obsessed with flexibility. By offering Kyle Tucker a high-AAV, short-term deal, they avoid being stuck with a 36-year-old outfielder making $40 million a year when their young prospects like Josue De Paula are ready for the big leagues. De Paula is currently the No. 1 prospect in the system and is expected to make his debut sometime this year. If you sign Tucker for 10 years, where does De Paula play?
The Dodgers' front office plays for the 2026 championship, sure. But they’re also playing for 2030.
Actionable Steps for the "Off-Season" Fan
Since there aren't any physical highlights of today's Dodger game to watch on SportsCenter, here is how you can actually stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the 40-man Roster: The Dodgers are at 40 men right now. This means if they sign Kyle Tucker or trade for Bo Bichette (another name being linked to LA today), someone has to go. Watch guys like Andre Lipcius or even James Outman—they might be on the bubble.
- Check Spring Training Dates: Pitchers and catchers report in about four weeks. The first Cactus League game is February 21st against the Angels. If you’re planning a trip to Camelback Ranch, book your flights now because prices always spike in February.
- Follow the International Market: The Dodgers are historically great at signing international free agents. New scouting reports for the 2026 class dropped this week, and the Dodgers are expected to be aggressive in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela markets.
The "highlights" of the Dodgers right now aren't home runs—they're signatures on a contract. Whether it's the depth move of Andy Ibáñez or the potential blockbuster for Kyle Tucker, the 2026 season is being won right now, in the middle of January, without a single pitch being thrown.