Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Has Interesting Response When Asked About Bullpen’s Struggles

The Dodgers bullpen has been a major area of concern this season. Through 26 games, the Dodgers' bullpen has a team ERA of 5.32, which is the worst in the National League and the fourth-worst in the entire MLB. Only the Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox have a worse bullpen ERA this season — and those teams are the three worst teams in baseball this season in terms of record. So, not exactly great company.

It hasn't just been one guy either, as over half their bullpen has gone through struggles this season. The worst have been RHP Yency Almonte and LHP Alex Vesia, however, who were two of the strongest arms in the pen last season, and have been quite the opposite to open the 2023 campaign.

In 12 appearances, Almonte has a dreadful 9.28 ERA, allowing 11 earned runs, 16 hits and six walks in 10.2 innings. Vesia, on the other hand, has an even worse 9.39 ERA in 10 appearances, allowing 19 hits, eight earned runs and four walks in 7.2 innings.

After Wednesday's game, in which the Dodgers' bullpen allowed eight earned runs in 4.2 innings, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about their struggles.

"The consistency of these guys hasn’t been there, for the most part," Roberts said, "which, you know, you look at the track record and the track records are pretty good. So I’m going to keep running them out there and expecting good things when they go out there until ultimately something changes. But, when I run a guy out there, I still feel like that guy’s the best option in the moment. They got to do their part, too."

Dave Roberts discusses Tony Gonsolin's outing and the #Dodgers lack of consistency. pic.twitter.com/rzJQylVAeo
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 27, 2023

It's definitely a frustrating answer, but also, what else do we expect Roberts to say? He's not the one pitching, and for now, he still has to trust his guys because of what they've done in the past. However, your track record can only take you so far and, at some point, if the struggles continue, the Dodgers will have to make some changes.

The Dodgers will hopefully be getting reinforcements in June and July in the form of RHPs Daniel Hudson and Alex Reyes. However, until then, they'll need their guys to figure things out.