Add The California Post on Google Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is frustrated with the bullpen.
Edwin Diaz has blown saves in three of his last five appearances since returning from the injured list, including Thursday night’s 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. But when reporters asked Roberts if Diaz would still pitch in the ninth after another tough loss, the Dodgers skipper repeatedly asked a savage question.
“Give me another option. I have to have other options, and to be quite honest, none of those guys have really thrown the baseball great (lately).”
The Dodgers have arguably the most star-studded roster in baseball, and yet, Roberts feels forced to keep an 11.57 ERA-pitcher as the team’s closer moving forward. The Dodgers signed Diaz to a three-year, $69 million deal in the offseason, so there’s evidently an obligation to keep the All-Star in his post after such an investment.
But the Dodgers are losing games they simply can’t afford to drop if they want a first-round playoff bye. The Dodgers used five relievers Thursday night and couldn’t muster a win.
Roberts isn’t confident in his other options.
Tanner Scott is sporting a 2.25 ERA this season along with 16 saves under his belt this season. The left-hander filled in for Diaz as closer earlier this season, but he’s had mixed results as of late.
Scott is coming off a season where he recorded a league-worst 10 blown saves after signing a $72 million deal with the Dodgers. He’s always been better in set-up role and the varying velocity over the last week can’t be a good sign for the reliever.
Edgardo Henriquez presents another alternative for the Dodgers, but the righty flamethrower is still young and lacks control of his stuff.
Alex Vesia has proven his dominance in high-leverage situations, but he’s working through a recent issue with walks. Lately, the team’s best reliever has been Jack Dreyer.
But even Dreyer has lacked sharpness, giving up a two-run game-tying homer against the Kansas City Royals.
LA’s bullpen is floundering at a time when the team needs to begin picking up the pieces down the stretch and into the postseason. But the poor performance isn’t solely the unit’s fault.
The Dodgers bullpen has been used often, a result of Shohei Ohtani’s absence from the starting rotation. The club’s recent streak of close games has also strained the group.
After starting the season as one of the best bullpens in baseball, the Dodgers’ unit has struggled to maintain such dominance.
