Dodgers News: Dave Roberts is Trying His Best to Work with What He Has
The Dodgers season hasn't started quite the way Dave Roberts and the front office wanted. Sitting at 14-13, one game over the .500 winning percentage mark nearly one month into the season, things have been as up and down as their record might indicate. In wins, the lineup is averaging more than 7 runs per game. In losses, well, it's much less.
For everyone involved, it's hard to put a finger on where exactly things have or are going wrong because we really haven't seen exactly what this team is supposed to be made of.
“If you look at what’s transpired," Roberts said recently, "the roster’s been in flux for so long. It certainly makes more sense why we haven’t had any consistency but when you’re mired in it, you don’t try to let that bleed into your mindset. You’re trying to figure out the 26 guys you have available that night and try to win a game. That’s where we’re at.”
Starting from the beginning, the roster lost expected starting shortstop Gavin Lux before the season even started. Soon after, starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin rolled his ankle and just recently returned. Since opening day, the following players have been on the injured list or the paternity leave list.
- RHP Ryan Pepiot (oblique)
- C Will Smith (concussion)
- RF/SS Mookie Betts (paternity)
- SS Miguel Rojas (hamstring)
- RHP Evan Phillips (paternity)
- RHP Michael Grove (groin)
- 3B Max Muncy (paternity)
- RHP Brusdar Graterol (paternity)
- DH J.D. Martinez (back)
Plus expected bullpen arms Dan Hudson and Jimmy Nelson opened the year on the IL while rebounding from knee and elbow operations respectively.
That's 13 Dodgers unavailable for parts or all of the season so far.
The fact that we're even looking at a record above .500 should be considered an achievement. Thankfully for Dave and the Dodgers, the roster welcomed back Will Smith and Max Muncy on Friday and should get Miguel Rojas back as soon as Monday.
Hopefully May is much more kind than April was for the boys in blue.
