Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Talks Status of Bullpen, Kimbrel’s Job Security
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joined “Loud Outs” on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio on Friday, and he was asked about the state of the Los Angeles bullpen.
“Brusdar Graterol, we got back, and now we just lost him to the IL, so hopefully that’s a short-term thing. … Blake [Treinen], we’re getting him back today. Evan Phillips has been a godsend for us in our bullpen as far as leverage innings and being a neutral guy, getting righties, getting lefties out. We’ve got the two lefties in [Caleb] Ferguson and [Alex] Vesia, they’ve been very additive to our bullpen. And we’ve got Tommy Kahnle potentially on the mend.”
It’s interesting that Kahnle is the only longterm IL guy Roberts mentioned by name, and that it came immediately after mentioning Vesia and Ferguson and the work they’ve done as lefties in the bullpen. If we read between the lines, that might indicate that, in the discussion of there probably not being room for all the rehabbing relievers, they might be focusing more on Kahnle than Victor Gonzalez or Danny Duffy simply because they feel like the left-handed part of the bullpen is pretty well settled.
Roberts was also asked specifically about Craig Kimbrel and his role as closer, and he reiterated his point from last week that the playoff innings will be based on merit.
“It’s been inconsistent for Craig, so I think that for me, I haven’t wavered in that sense that with Craig Kimbrel’s track record, he deserves as much leash as anyone. But there is a point that you’ve got to go with guys that you trust and guys that have performed.”
Dave Roberts breaks down the #Dodgers bullpen outlook heading down the stretch.@Dodgers pic.twitter.com/YLvJ9W8jLM
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 2, 2022
Kimbrel has been better lately, showing signs of improvement. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last four appearances, and while he ran into some trouble in his second inning of work on Monday in Miami, his first inning was outstanding. The Dodgers have 32 games left this season, plenty of time for Kimbrel to fully right the ship and show he’s ready for prime time in October.
But if he doesn’t, the Dodgers have the arms they need to get the job done, and Dave Roberts seems willing to use them however he needs to.
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They need to get rid of Kimbrel …. period. He is a detriment to the Dodgers and them winning the playoffs and series. They can use Evan Phillips as their closer.
Strange how even though he gets the sign from the catcher electronically he still gets into that silly looking chicken wing position. I guess it’s more a matter of habit and routine but when you think about it ya have to chuckle.