GLENDALE, Ariz. — With just four days left before they hop on a plane to Tokyo, the Dodgers still have one item left to check off their offseason ‘to-do’ list – sign their manager to a contract extension.

Talks between the Dodgers and Dave Roberts have reached the final stages, with an announcement expected before the team leaves for Japan next week. Roberts characterized the negotiations as being “at the 1-yard line in football (terms).”

“Things are looking good. I’m optimistic,” he said Friday afternoon. “You guys all know, this is where I want to be. So I’m excited that things are getting done.”

Entering his 10th season as Dodgers manager, Roberts is in the final year of a three-year contract extension that pays him $4 million. That is expected to more than double with Roberts topping Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s yearly salary of $8 million, the highest for an MLB manager.

Counsell signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Cubs before the 2024 season. Roberts’ deal is expected to be for a shorter term but higher annual salary.

“I just think it all comes down to value. And I think whatever anyone does, they want their value,” Roberts said earlier this spring when asked about becoming the highest-paid manager in MLB. “That’s kind of where I’m at. I’m hopeful things get done.

“But it’s not (the goal) to be the highest-paid manager. If that’s the fallout, fine. But that’s not why I do my job. I do my job because I love baseball, I love the Dodgers and I love the players. But I do feel the body of work is pretty dang good.”

Roberts’ career winning percentage of .627 (851-507) is the highest in MLB history among non-Negro Leagues managers. He has led the Dodgers to the playoffs in each of his first nine seasons, won the NL West eight times and reached the World Series four times, winning it in 2020 and 2024.

COMEBACK ATTEMPT

Bobby Miller threw a live batting practice on Friday afternoon, his first time facing hitters since he was hit in the head by a line drive during his first Cactus League start two weeks ago.

He threw the equivalent of an inning. But it ended with Max Muncy hitting a line drive back through the mound. The ball was hit much slower than the 106-mph liner that caught him in the head and left him with a concussion. This time, Miller was able to drop to the ground and avoid getting hit.

“He seemed fine after the fact,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “We’ve all, unfortunately, been there. If you haven’t, you’re gonna. Like all pitchers, we’ve been there. And it’s part of the game. You never want to see it, but you kind of got to get back on the horse and do it. And the sooner you get that first one out of the way, kind of get going. But I mean, it’s never easy.”

Prior said Miller touched 99 mph during the one simulated inning.

KERSHAW THROWS

Despite a persistent drizzle Friday afternoon, Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session during the Dodgers’ abbreviated workout. Kershaw is recovering from foot and knee surgeries last November and there is no timeline for his return to the active roster.

“I talked to him yesterday and he was in really good spirits,” Roberts said before the workout. “Say he’s feeling good, really looking forward to this ’pen. I’m just looking to see how it looks coming out of his hand. He says the foot feels good so I’m really anxious.”

ALSO

The Dodgers made some more cuts following Friday’s game, sending pitchers Jackson Ferris, Joe Jacques, Jose Hernández, Sam Carlson, Jared Karros, Jack Little and Jose Rodriguez to minor league camp.