Dodgers manager Dave Roberts argues with home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg in the bottom of the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants. (Photo : Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It's still very early in the MLB season but the Los Angeles Dodgers still have the same problem from last year. The Dodgers bullpen has been very disappointing the past couple of games, but the manager Dave Roberts is planning to stay patient and not make any harsh decisions.
"If we want to have a great season, a winning season, we're going to need those guys in the pen. So, for me, it's way too early for me to think about changing roles," Roberts told ESPN on Tuesday.
The newly-appointed skipper added that he just want to give his relievers confidence by letting them play in high-pressure situations. He is expecting the team to be in a handful of tight games this season and the bullpen could prove very vital.
In the recent 4-2 loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 12, Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda pitched six shutout innings and a 1-0 before handing the ball to the bullpen. However, Pedro Baez gave up a game-tying home run to Paul Goldschmidt in the seventh, per MLB.com.
Chris Hatcher allowed another run in the eight before the Diamondbacks added two more off of Louis Coleman in the ninth inning. The Dodgers bullpen's ERA ballooned to 6.65, 12th-worst in the National League.
Los Angeles managed to defeat Arizona 3-1 on Wednesday to tie the current series heading into the clincher on Thursday. Alex Wood pitched a seven innings of one-run ball before handing it to the bullpen.
Baez's name was called but he gave up a walk with a runner on base with one out in the eighth. Roberts had no choice but to bring their hard-throwing closer, Kenley Jensen. He earned his third save of the season with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched.
Despite staying patient, the Dodgers already has plans if the bullpen continues to implode. According to the Los Angeles Times, the team has already signed three relievers to minor league deals.
Sean Burnett, Sam LeCure and Dale Thayer will be joining Luis Avilan, who is patiently waiting for his chance to pitch again in the majors. The Dodgers could also move a couple of starters to the bullpen by midseason when Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy return from injuries.
Here is the video recap of the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks game on April 12, 2016.
