As a rookie manager Dave Roberts took the helm of a club that faced lofty expectations and pressure to end their World Series drought. No one could have predicated what Roberts has encountered in his first year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
To date, the Dodgers have put a National League-record 26 players on the disabled list this season. They’re one shy of breaking the Major League record, set by the Boston Red Sox in 2012.
That Red Sox team finished in last place in the American League East with a 69-93 record. The Dodgers entered play Wednesday 66-52 and a half-game ahead of the San Francisco Giants for first place in the NL West.
“It hasn’t been as much of a circus as it might seem,” Roberts said of the constant roster shuffling that’s come with the club’s perpetual use of the DL.
“I think the players, coaches and myself, we look at what 25 guys we have that day, and we try to win a game that day. So it’s actually pretty simple. When you look outside of that, there’s a lot of noise and distractions, but everyone in the clubhouse has done a good job of not concerning ourself too much with who’s hurt.
Of the various injuries the Dodgers have needed to overcome this season, none figured to test the team more than losing Clayton Kershaw. While there was early optimism Kershaw would make a relatively quick return, he last pitched June 26.
All the Dodgers have done since that point is go 25-16. While Roberts has drummed up support in some public spheres for NL Manager of the Year consideration, those talks haven’t reached the level to which Roberts has performed amid various challenges he’s encountered.
While Roberts has kept the Dodgers on a straight path without several key players, the club hopes September will at last bring positive injury news. Andre Ethier, Kershaw, Trayce Thompson and Alex Wood are among those expected to return for a final push toward the postseason.
