Dave Roberts addressed the strain on the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen, explaining that the club is currently working with only seven relievers available in the middle of a 13-game stretch. He described the group as essentially overworked across the board, noting that the coaching staff has to be mindful of both performance and health while still needing to get outs every night at home.
Roberts said the difficulty isn't about challenging individual relievers so much as helping each pitcher find the small, specific adjustments that would allow him to be more consistent. He pointed to Josh Bard as someone with a good handle on the staff's needs, and said conversations are ongoing about how the catchers can help drive better outings. Roberts added that pitching in high-leverage spots nearly every outing has made the margins for error smaller for the relief group.
Asked whether a six-man rotation without a full complement of relief arms is sustainable going forward, Roberts said he believes it is, at least through the current stretch, acknowledging that an upcoming series will be a challenge in itself. He indicated that keeping starters such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki on a healthy schedule is the priority driving that decision, even if it comes at some cost to bullpen depth compared to past seasons.
On Gavin Stone, Roberts said the reports from his recent outing were encouraging, and suggested Stone's most realistic path back would likely be out of the bullpen first, with a possible spot start if he continues to build up. He noted that the priority right now is simply building Stone up and sustaining his health, something the team has struggled to do with him in recent years, while leaving open the possibility that his role could evolve as the season progresses.
Roberts also praised Max Muncy's home run and career milestone, reflecting on Muncy's journey from a player once let go by another organization to a longtime contributor and one of the leaders on the current roster. He additionally discussed home-and-away performance splits affecting several hitters, including Kyle Tucker, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, saying he did not have a clear explanation for the pattern. Separately, Roberts spoke warmly about his friendship with Reggie Smith, describing him as a mentor and elder statesman within his circle of friends.