The Los Angeles Dodgers again have one of the best records in the National League and despite a rash of injuries to key contributors, they have remained committed to providing players with ample rest whenever possible.
That’s particularly held true for Will Smith, who received more off days than normal the past couple weeks. It coincided with Smith working with Dodgers hitting coaches to iron out his swing amid a prolonged slump.
In addition to breaks for Smith, the Dodgers are most aggressive with ensuring their starting pitchers consistently get at least one extra day of rest between outings.
When recently outlining the strategy, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted the approach stems from being mindful of the bigger picture and ultimate World Series goal, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“You have to look at the short term,” Roberts said, “but also the long term of how you manage the players’ workload, certainly the players who play every day.”
While the Dodgers try to win every game possible, they are always looking for ways to give rest to their key players, which is essential to withstand the grueling demands of a 162-game season.
Thus far, only Freddie Freeman has started every game this year.
Teoscar Hernández had been on that path as well before receiving his first night off. Hernández nevertheless is second on the Dodgers in starts made this season, just ahead of Shohei Ohtani.
While Hernández was in the midst of being in the lineup every day, Roberts took him out of a close game at Coors Field as a means of managing his workload. The Dodgers wound up losing the game and Hernández’s spot in the order came up in the ninth inning, but Roberts didn’t express any regret over his decision.
That came as no surprise considering it’s an approach the Dodgers have utilized for many years under Roberts, who tries to keep his players as fresh as possible so they are at their best in the postseason.
Dodgers All-Stars 2024
The Dodgers had Mookie Betts, Freeman, Tyler Glasnow, Hernández, Smith and Ohtani named to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. It’s the third time since 2017 the Dodgers had six All-Stars.
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