The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing mounting concerns over their bullpen performance, particularly with closer Edwin Diaz experiencing a difficult stretch. Diaz allowed three runs in the ninth inning Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, resulting in a 5-4 loss, marking his second recent blown save. This follows an Aug. 7 outing where he surrendered a walk-off home run to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed frustration with the bullpen's inconsistency. "I have to have other options, and to be quite honest, none of those guys really have thrown the baseball great," Roberts stated after Thursday's loss. He acknowledged the team's significant investment in Diaz, who was signed in the offseason to a three-year, $69 million deal, but emphasized the need for other reliable arms as the team aims for a third consecutive World Series title.
Potential bullpen reinforcements mentioned include Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia. Scott has pitched 48 innings this season, recording 60 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA with 12 runs allowed. Vesia has similar statistics, with 52 strikeouts and 13 runs allowed in 42 innings pitched. Scott has been particularly effective, filling in for Diaz after the closer missed more than three months due to elbow surgery and securing 16 saves.
Despite these options, Roberts indicated a broader pattern of struggle within the bullpen. "You look back at the last week, and guys have struggled," he said. "I’m not going to sit here and play carousel and chase my tail ... when a guy is struggling, and then when he doesn’t pitch well, then it’s, ‘Why are you pitching him?’ I don’t do that. Everyone has got a role. They all have jobs to do, and they all have to do their job."
Diaz's recent performance has been particularly costly, with a 12.73 ERA in his last seven appearances, raising questions as postseason discussions intensify. "It’s frustrating, because I know my ability," Diaz said. "I know what I can do on the mound. To not be able to do it (stinks). I’ve just got to come tomorrow and try to keep getting better."
Roberts stressed the importance of a strong bullpen, particularly during a challenging period. "I know people don’t want to hear it, but it’s baseball," he remarked. "Offenses go in lulls, and the bullpens go in lulls, and sometimes you get in a run where the starting pitching isn’t there. It is what happens, and it just doesn’t feel good. And it certainly is more highlighted when the ’pen doesn’t throw the baseball well, because it costs you games."