Look, I get it. You wake up, it's a Saturday in mid-January, and you’ve got that itch for Blue Heaven. You want to see Shohei Ohtani launch a moonshot or Yoshinobu Yamamoto freeze someone with that devastating splitter. You’re asking yourself, is dodgers playing today, and the short, honest answer is no. Not in the way you’re hoping for.
Right now, we are smack in the middle of the "dead zone" of the MLB offseason. It is January 17, 2026. If you head down to Elysian Park today, the only thing you’ll find at Dodger Stadium is the construction crew or maybe some fans hitting the top-deck gift shop. The grass is likely getting its final winter pampered treatment before the spikes start digging in.
But don't check out just yet. While there isn't a box score to refresh today, the 2026 season is actually much closer than it feels. We’ve finally moved past the heavy holiday haze, and the front office just finished a massive flurry of activity. Seriously, the news coming out of Chavez Ravine over the last 48 hours has been wild.
When Do the Dodgers Actually Start Playing?
If you’re marking your calendar for the first time you can actually see the team in uniform, you’re looking at Saturday, February 21, 2026. That is the official kickoff for Cactus League play. The Dodgers will be traveling to Tempe to take on the Angels.
Yeah, it’s a road game, but it’s the first real crack of the bat.
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2026 Spring Training Key Dates
- February 13: Pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch.
- February 17: First full-squad workout (the day the energy really shifts).
- February 21: Spring opener vs. Angels (Tempe Diablo Stadium).
- February 23: First home game at Camelback Ranch vs. Seattle Mariners.
- March 4: A special exhibition game against Team Mexico for the World Baseball Classic prep.
For those of you who only care about the games that "count," the wait is a bit longer. Opening Day 2026 is Thursday, March 26. The Dodgers are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks at home. It’s going to be an emotional night because they’ll be raising the 2025 World Series banner. Coming off back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, the atmosphere is going to be electric.
Is Dodgers Playing Today? Why the Answer is "Sorta" in the Front Office
Even though there’s no game on the field, the Dodgers "played" a huge hand in the market yesterday. If you missed the late-night notifications, the team just shook the league again.
They officially announced the signing of Kyle Tucker to a massive 4-year, $240 million deal. Honestly, it feels like an embarrassment of riches at this point. Adding Tucker to a lineup that already features Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman is just... it's almost unfair to the rest of the NL West.
Yesterday was also the start of the International Signing Period. The Dodgers didn't just sit on their hands. They signed 22 international free agents, led by a group of high-end prospects from the Dominican Republic. Names like Rubel Arias and Ezequiel Melburne are the ones we’ll be talking about in 2029, but the work happened today.
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The 2026 Starting Rotation: A "Historic" Experiment
The reason people are so desperate to know is dodgers playing today is because of the pitching staff. We are about to witness something we haven't seen in the modern era.
2026 is the year Shohei Ohtani returns to a full "two-way" role. After focusing mostly on hitting during the 2024 season and easing back into pitching in 2025, he is reportedly "full go" for the 2026 rotation.
Experts like the crew over at Dodgers Nation are calling this the most talented rotation in franchise history. Think about that. Better than the Koufax/Drysdale years? Better than the 1981 crew?
The Projected Five-Man
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: The reigning World Series MVP. He was the only starter who didn't miss a beat last year, finishing with a 2.49 ERA.
- Shohei Ohtani: The unicorn. If he’s healthy, he’s a sub-3.00 ERA guy who also hits 40 homers.
- Tyler Glasnow: When he’s on, he’s unhittable. The big question is always the innings count.
- Blake Snell: Two Cy Youngs in his pocket. He had a rough, injury-riddled 2025, but he’s looking for a "rebound" year.
- Roki Sasaki: The young phenom. His first full MLB season in 2025 showed flashes of absolute dominance.
It’s a "if healthy" situation, though. Glasnow and Snell have historically struggled to stay on the mound for 30 starts. But man, on paper? It’s a video game roster.
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How to Follow the Team Right Now
Since you can't watch a game today, what can you do?
You've basically got two options to stay ahead of the curve. First, keep an eye on the 40-man roster movements. Just this week, the Dodgers signed veteran infielder Andy Ibáñez to a one-year deal to shore up the bench. It’s a small move, but those are the ones that win games in August when someone’s hamstring acts up.
Second, if you’re planning on going to Camelback Ranch in February, buy your tickets now. With the team coming off another championship, Spring Training tickets are disappearing faster than usual.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're bummed that there's no game today, here is how you can prep for the season:
- Check the TV Schedule: Most 2026 games will be on Spectrum SportsNet LA, but the league just announced that the March 26 opener against Arizona will be a national broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
- Verify Your Membership: If you're a "My Dodgers" member, check your portal. The promotional schedule—including bobblehead nights for Ohtani and Yamamoto—is expected to drop in the next ten days.
- Sync Your Calendar: Download the official 2026 schedule PDF from MLB.com. They have a balanced schedule again this year, meaning the Dodgers will play a series against every single team in the league. Notable road trips this year include a massive series at Yankee Stadium in July right after the All-Star break.
The wait is almost over. We’re about 35 days away from seeing those white jerseys under the Arizona sun. Until then, we just have to settle for the hot stove and the highlight reels.