The Los Angeles Dodgers have fortified their bullpen in recent weeks, making tweaks to the unit, both internally and externally. Among the reinforcements included Kenta Maeda, who found previous success as a reliever throughout the 2017 postseason.
Maeda has made seven appearances out of the bullpen since transitioning from his accustomed role as a starting pitcher, to which he’s posted a solid 5.63 ERA with 10 strikeouts against two walks in eight innings pitched.
Maeda’s ERA ballooned because of allowing a three-home run against the New York Mets. And despite the early favorable results, Maeda has yet to appear in back-to-back games. Thus far the closest he has come is pitching Sept. 1 and 3.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that it will be some time before he’s comfortable enough in deploying Maeda on consecutive days, citing a desire in eventually building up the right-hander for such a workload, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“That takes time,” Roberts said. “As you’re in a pennant race, to have one of your better arms in the ’pen be able to go back-to-back, certainly is something we want to build to. I can’t say when that’s going to be. Maybe a quick outing, and potentially to follow it up with one.”
Considering Maeda’s previous stint and routine as a starting pitcher this season, it makes sense that Roberts wants to give him plenty of time to adjust to his new role before relying on him more heavily down the stretch.
Maeda has already thrived in high-leverage situations, most notably filling in for Kenley Jansen as Dodgers closer in the series opener against the Colorado Rockies. He recorded a second save this season and third of his career.
While Maeda has found success in that role, he’s admitted to closing games out coming with some nerves. But with Jansen seemingly available for all games outside of Coors Field, Maeda should revert back to being utilized in the seventh or eighth innings.
