Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Offers Clarity on 2020 Roles for Dustin May & Tony Gonsolin

On a rainy Saturday morning in Glendale, Arizona, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the media indoors.

Of the topics touched on, Doc offered some clarity on the expected roles for rookie pitchers Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin.

Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are being put in the same bucket and will be treated like starters but Tony has an edge because of age – Dave Roberts

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) February 22, 2020

Digging in, the news on the 22-year-old May isn’t surprising. 

May being viewed as a starter, an indication he'll begin the season in the Minor Leagues.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 22, 2020

First, the Dodgers have 7 other starting options to fill 5 spots in the rotation. With Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and David Price filling the first 3, Alex Wood and Julio Urias have the inside edge on the final two spots.

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Moreover, with Ross Stripling still in LA, and the addition of veteran starter Jimmy Nelson, there are enough arms to fill innings early in the season so that Dustin May could limit his innings until later in the season and into playoffs.

Next, Gonsolin.

Tony Gonsolin viewed more as a swingman who could make the club as a reliever.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 22, 2020

The manager gave the 25-year-old Gonsolin a more clear path to the big leagues to start the season. Importantly, the “Cat-Man” — the originally scheduled starter in Saturday’s (Caturday’s) Cactus League opener for the Dodgers — found success as a swingman for LA in his debut season. Gonsolin made 6 starts and 5 relief appearances last year, posting a 2.93 ERA in 40 innings pitched.

As the Dodgers continue to be blessed with depth and “good problems” to have, these moves appear to make sense for the two rookie right-handers in 2020.

NEXT: Julio Urias Has an Eye on a Starting Job in 2020