Dodgers manager rejects bullpen carousel amid Diaz slump
Dave Roberts cites systemic reliability issues across the roster rather than isolating Edwin Diaz, despite the reliever’s 12.73 ERA and recent high-leverage failures.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has ruled out arbitrary pitcher rotations following a ninth-inning collapse by Edwin Diaz, which contributed to a 5-4 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. The loss extended a recent pattern of pitching meltdowns for the back-to-back World Series champions, raising questions about bullpen management as the team prepares for a potential run for a third consecutive title.
Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million contract during the offseason, has recorded a 12.73 earned run average across seven appearances this season. His struggles include a blown save on Thursday where he surrendered three runs despite holding a two-run lead, following a walk-off home run allowed against the Arizona Diamondbacks on 7 August. Diaz missed more than three months of the season due to surgery on his right elbow.
Despite the frustration surrounding Diaz’s performance, Roberts emphasised that he would not engage in a "carousel" approach to the bullpen. He noted that other arms have also struggled recently, stating, "none of those guys really have thrown the baseball great. That’s just kind of the way it is." Roberts argued that rotating pitchers arbitrarily based on recent failures is counterproductive to maintaining institutional stability.
"The back-to-back World Series champions have the most expensive roster in the MLB," Roberts observed, highlighting the pressure associated with the team’s financial and competitive standing. He insisted that every reliever has a defined role, stating, "Everyone has got a job to do, and they all have to do their job. That’s it."
Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia have emerged as the primary alternatives for high-leverage situations. Scott, who has recorded 16 saves this season, has pitched 48 innings with a 2.25 ERA and 60 strikeouts. He filled in for Diaz during his recovery period, providing a measure of reliability that Roberts values. Vesia has also contributed, pitching 42 innings with 52 strikeouts and 13 runs allowed.
As the Dodgers host the National League-leading Brewers for a weekend series, the focus remains on managing existing resources rather than seeking external solutions. Roberts acknowledged the cyclical nature of pitching struggles, noting that bullpens go through lulls just as offenses do. The team’s approach continues to prioritise consistency and role definition over reactive adjustments in the lead-up to the postseason.
