Dodgers: Dave Roberts Not Ready to Name Fifth Starter
The Dodgers would have had their entire starting rotation figured out before a pitch was even thrown in camp. That is until David Price decided it was best to opt-out of the season. That is where things started to get a little bit complicated for Dave Roberts and his staff.
Ross Stripling seems like the logical guy to take that final spot, but plenty can happen over the next two weeks. Trips to the injured list are common, but especially so in the middle of a pandemic. As such, Dave Roberts is still not ready to officially name the Dodgers’ fifth starter.
Tony Gonsolin is one guy that could potentially be in competition, though he just appeared in camp late this week. Roberts even admitted that Gonsolin is probably well behind guys that are already built up to five innings, Ross Stripling included. The Dodgers have Gonsolin and Dustin May waiting in the wings, but it doesn’t seem likely that they will immediately take that spot.
Dave Roberts is not ready to say that with how late Gonsolin arrived to camp that he's out of the running for that last spot in the rotation, but he's more concerned that "he's healthy and getting built up."
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 10, 2020
May represents an intriguing option as he has impressed very early in Spring Camp. The Dodgers clocked him at 99 mph on a few of his fastballs over the weekend, which was eye-popping when media members heard that.
Dave Roberts said Dustin May touched 99 mph against hitters over the weekend.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 7, 2020
The good news is that Roberts really cannot go wrong with any of these guys. Ross Stripling will likely get the ball to start things off and will be his job to lose. But the Dodgers are also hoping for good seasons from Alex Wood and Julio Urias, so there is room for flexibility.
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