The Atlanta Braves played in a baseball game yesterday and that is the most important news here. No one seems to have gotten hurt, a bunch of players got some work in, and Chris Sale looked great. The scoreboard matters very little this early in spring training and results should always be taken with a grain of salt. However, it was hard not to notice Dylan Dodd's struggles.
It was just a couple of years ago that Dodd was one of the darlings of Braves' camp. With the Braves needing innings from somewhere, Dodd came in and shocked everyone with his stuff and it was good enough to get a shot at the big leagues. Unfortunately, things have not gone well since then as Dodd was unable to stick in the bigs and has gotten beaten up in the majors and the minors.
Now, Dodd enters camp with nothing guaranteed whatsoever and a need to prove himself again. That quest is off to a tough start as Dodd got knocked around in the Braves' first spring training game.
#Braves ace Chris Sale was crisp in his spring debut, while Dylan Dodd struggled to begin a year in which he’s determined to make strides.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 23, 2025
“I’ve been given plenty of chances in the past two years and just haven’t lived up to the expectation,” Dodd said. https://t.co/sc90iP0r3h
Dylan Dodd's spring debut probably did not help his case with the Braves
Again, it is important to note that results in spring training games don't matter all that much. Guys are working on different things and trying to ramp up slowly. This isn't dogging a guy for one bad appearance in a spring training game where he gave up two runs in an inning of work. The issue is that Dodd's struggles look incredibly familiar given how hard he was hit last year.
In comments relayed by The Athletic's David O'Brien, Dodd already knew exactly how important this camp is for him before his disastrous spring debut where hitters should be behind pitchers.
"But honestly, I think it comes down to my performance and how I’m doing. You know, I’ve been given plenty of chances in the past two years and just haven’t lived up to the expectation or the performance I hold myself to. And I think, wherever I start out, if it’s Triple A, I think it’s just a matter of whether I can be more consistent."
Dodd went on to say that he can find that consistency, the question of getting playing time in the big leagues will take care of itself. However, this is the time of year where pitchers very, very clearly have the advantage over hitters and Dodd was getting knocked around. It may be only one small sample early in camp, but struggling in that spot does tell us something and it isn't great for Dodd's future.
Given that he is already on the 40-man roster, Dodd is going to get more chances in spring training games to prove he belongs in the majors. However, this stretch of games this spring may be his last chance with the Braves.