Dodgers NLDS Roster: Dave Roberts Talks Potential Changes Against the Padres

There may be nothing more overblown in baseball than the opening day and playoff series opening roster. For the Dodgers, the club opted to pivot for more defensive versatility in the NL Wild Card round against the Milwaukee Brewers and dropped two relief arms from the active roster in the process. 

Now, Dave Roberts says he expects to add at least one arm back for the 5 game series against the Padres. Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Doc danced around the potential change.

We’re going to make a roster decision soon, but I think it’s going to be adding a pitcher, and Dylan Floro’s a good name, and we’ll probably take out a position player.

For the NLWC, the omission of reliever Dylan Floro may have been the biggest shock for the club. The right-hander had become an important middle-relief piece for Roberts in all sorts of leverage situations. Notably, the manager said after submitting that Wild Card roster that Floro was upset and that it was justified.

As for who took his place, indirectly, speedy outfielder Terrance Gore was added to the roster unexpectedly after spending nearly all of the season at the club’s alternate site. All told, the moves proved to be moot as Walker Buehler and Julio Urias combined to take the bulk of the innings in a game 1 win, and Clayton Kershaw tossed an 8-inning gem in the game 2 clincher.

Moreover, with the adequate offense in the series, there wasn’t a need for a pinch-runner type like Gore. The Dodgers have until Tuesday to submit their NLDS roster.

NEXT: It Looks Like Joc Pederson Will Remain on the Active Roster